When you move into a new home, whether it’s a new build or a previously existing home, it pays dividends to become familiar with your new home plumbing systems. Familiarity is the best way to know what is normal, what is not, and how you should react when the proverbial hits the fan! Being prepared and having some knowledge of your plumbing can minimise stress, property damage and hefty long term repair fees. It’s often a problem that homeowners only notice their plumbing when it stops working properly! Save yourself the panic of hiring emergency plumbers Perth, and the high price of after-hours fees. Knowing what’s normal and having regular maintenance carried out can result in smaller repairs, which is what Element Plumbing & Gas prefer for our customers.
Getting to know your new home plumbing system
It’s important to be aware of these crucial plumbing systems when you move into your brand new home. You should know:
- Where the septic tank is
- Or if your property is on deep sewer then you should know where the inspection shaft is
- Where your water meter is
- How to turn off the water in the case of an emergency
- Where your hot water tank is installed
- Where your cold and hot water supply pipes are, and
- Where each drain is
Good plumbers Perth WA can help simplify the technical talk so you are familiar with your new home plumbing. Element Plumbing & Gas are here to help you, so please reach out today.
Tips on maintaining your home plumbing and extending its life
Even when buying land and building a brand new home from scratch, there are things you need to know in order to best look after the brand new plumbing systems. With a proactive approach, you’ll keep your plumbing in great shape for longer. This is also the case when purchasing an existing older home, as older plumbing systems will break down as they age. Here’s what you can do to be proactive:
- Flush the drains once a month with boiling water, baking soda and vinegar – this should help disolve small clogs and blockages. Drain cleaners that are no good for your pipes and are best avoided, not just because of the damage they can do to your home, but also the environment. You’ll save a bit of coin in the process, too.
- You can randomly inspect plumbing pipes in confined spaces such as inside the manhole of your ceiling, your attic if you have one, your basement or wine cellar if you’re lucky enough to also own these spaces. Be sure that there are no leaks and involve a plumber if you’re unsure.
- Every 2-5 years, enlist plumbers Perth to inspect your septic tank. It’s also good to have it pumped out in this time frame too! How often you have your septic system attended to will depend on the size of the tank.
- Be sure to know exactly where your septic tank is. If you’re having renovations or earthworks performed that involves the use of heavy machinery such as bobcats, make sure these vehicles do not drive over or park on top of your septic tank, as the weight could break the lid and cave it in.
- Do not pour hot fats, harsh chemicals, food and other debris into the sewer. Toilets, kitchen and bathroom drains become blocked by things that should be thrown away in the bin. Even coffee grounds should be chucked out – make sure these do not end up being poured down the drain!
- If there are taps and toilets in the house that are not often used, you should run them occasionally to keep the pipes flowing healthily.
- Plumbers Perth WA should come and inspect your water heater at least every year to ensure it is in good working order.
Good Home Plumbing Maintenance is how you Protect your Investment
Purchasing real estate is most likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make. You should do everything you can to protect the properties you purchase in your lifetime. Looking after the property and handling plumbing leak repair as soon as you notice them is essential. Water can wreak serious havoc, and the last thing you need is extensive water damage in your home or investment properties. The answer to comprehensive maintenance is to enlist a highly skilled and licensed plumber.
small leaks are a silent danger
The small leaks can do the most damage to a dwelling. Smaller leaks must be dealt with swiftly to prevent larger issues from a occurring. A gradual home plumbing drip that goes unnoticed over the course of months or years can do damage to:
- Paint, resulting in a cracked, peeled or bubbling look
- Plasterboard and other building supplies, leading to mould
- Rotting wood, compromising structural integrity
- Soaking into insulation, impacting its efficacy
- Electrical wiring, causing short circuiting and more
You can prevent these water leak problems from growing. While plumbing maintenance helps, there are things you can do.
What can you do?
While DIY plumbing repairs and maintenance are illegal, there are some tasks that are safe for you to do before calling in a plumber. These include:
- Checking exposed piping and looking for signs of leaks. These could be obvious such as puddles, or less obvious such as watermarks on the ceiling.
- Checking your toilets flush properly and there is no evidence of leaking from the cistern or porcelain surrounds.
- Checking pipes for weathering. Oxidation (rusting) on any pipework could suggest corrosion is occurring.
- Checking tap ware to ensure its not leaking or dripping.
- Checking hoses on your washing machine, clothes dryer and dishwasher – make sure everything seems OK.
- Also pay close attention to water pressure. If it feels low there could be issues such as a build-up of sediment, or the water mains need inspecting.
- Furthermore, inspecting your hot water heater signs of corrosion or leaking is important. Just make sure you call in a qualified expert for plumbing leak repair Perth.
Looking for a home plumbing expert?
Then look no further. Have Element Plumbing & Gas handle your ongoing maintenance and leaks. Buying a new property is a big step forward in life, and you need to make sure you can partner with a licensed and trained plumber. Get to know your home plumbing with Brad and the team, reach out to us today!