Plumber near Somerton & Glastonbury
Keeping your plumbing system in excellent condition is essential to avoid unexpected and costly repairs – Believe us, we’re plumbers! It’s easy to prevent common plumbing issues with just a few proactive measures and keeps your home’s plumbing working properly.
Here’s our expert tips on how to keep your plumbing in excellent shape:
Regular Inspections
Regular plumbing inspections are vital! They’ll help you identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems. We recommend that you schedule a professional inspection at least once a year to check for leaks, corrosion, and other issues.
What to expect during a Plumbing Inspection?
A thorough inspection from a qualified, reliable plumber includes examining pipes, checking water pressure, and ensuring all fixtures (taps etc) are in good working order. We can’t stress enough that early detection of problems saves you from major problems and expensive repairs down the line.
Proper Disposal Practices
In Somerset, many rural properties don’t connect to the main systems for their toilets. There are lots of homes near Somerton and Glastonbury with septic tanks, cesspits and soak-aways. Whether you’re attached to the mains or not, you must be careful of what you flush down your toilet!
Avoid flushing items like wipes, sanitary products, and cotton balls down the toilet, as they can cause blockages. This is the simplest way to prevent plumbing issues, especially if you have a septic tank.
Similarly, we don’t recommend pouring grease, coffee grounds, and food scraps down the sink. Instead, your compost bin for any organic waste and dispose of grease in a sealed container. You can even use your old coffee grounds on your garden.
Install Drain Strainers
Drain screens or strainers are a really effective way of preventing debris from entering your plumbing system and causing clogs. Place screens over all the drains in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs to catch hair, food particles, and other debris before they enter your pipe system.
Blocked pipes cause slow drainage, stopping waste from leaving your property and they can get pretty smelly! Make sure you regularly clean the screens to maintain good water flow and prevent build-up.
Maintain Water Pressure
Excessive water pressure strains your plumbing system, leading to leaks and other plumbing issues. Your home’s water pressure should ideally be between 40 and 60 psi.
You can use a water pressure gauge to check the pressure at your hose bib/outside tap. If it’s too high, we recommend installing a pressure regulator. It’s important to maintain the right water pressure, as it will help extend the life of your pipes and other fixtures.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a common issue during Winter. Freezing water expands and can cause your pipes to burst, leading to a much bigger (and more expensive) problem.
We recommend insulating your pipes, especially in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages. Foam pipe insulation or heat tape can help protect them from freezing temperatures.
As an extra measure, letting the water run from your faucets on cold nights keeps the water moving and prevents freezing.
Address Leaks Quickly
Even small leaks cause significant damage over time! Regularly check for signs of leaks, including damp spots, mould, or even an unexplained increase in your water bill.
If you find a leak, address it immediately by tightening connections or using plumber’s tape as a temporary fix. For more severe leaks in the Somerton area, please give us a call to assess and fix the issue promptly.
Use Water Softeners
Though Somerton and Glastonbury are generally areas with soft water, hard water can cause mineral build-up in your pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. You can check your Somerset postcode for soft or hard water here.
If you live in an area with hard water, installing a water softener helps mitigate these effects by removing excess minerals from your water supply. This improves the performance of your plumbing system and also enhances the quality of your water. As water softeners add high levels of sodium, we also recommend keeping them separate from your kitchen tap for drinking water and food preparation.
Educate Household Members
Educate everyone in your household about proper plumbing use and emergency procedures is crucial. (Read our blog with practical tips about “What to do in a Plumbing Emergency.”)
Make sure they know what can and cannot be flushed or poured down the drain, especially wet wipes, grease, coffee grounds and any other potential drain blockers. Also, make sure they know how to shut off the main water supply in case of a plumbing emergency. A little education goes a long way in preventing plumbing issues before they become a major problem.
And that’s it!
By following our top plumbing tips above, you can avoid lots of common plumbing problems AND keep your Somerton home in great condition. Regular maintenance and mindful practices are key to a healthy plumbing system. If you need any professional help, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team at Wessex Heating & Plumbing in Somerton.