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DIY Plumbing Inspections: Do’s and Don’ts

As a homeowner, you have a lot to keep track of, and it can feel overwhelming trying to watch and maintain all the parts of your home. One of the most important systems in your house is your plumbing. Without regular inspections, your plumbing system will deteriorate and begin experiencing problems. If you feel intimidated by the prospect of checking the plumbing in your home yourself, don’t, it isn’t as hard as you might think. Below is a simple list of DIY plumbing inspections: dos and don’ts. Follow along with the tips, and you’ll have a decent idea of what’s going on in your home. 

 

Check Your Taps

One simple thing you can do to keep your home running smoothly is to check the drains and taps in your house. Run each one and listen for stuttering or strange noises. Also, check the drains to see that water is running down smoothly. Doing these two simple things will give you a quick overview of the health of the fixtures throughout your house. If you notice slow draining water or strange odors in your drains, you may need them snaked. If your taps are stuttering or running with low pressure, you likely need to clean them out or maybe replace them in extreme cases. 

 

Check All Exposed Pipes

Walk around your house and look at any exposed pipes you have available. For some homeowners, this means looking in the basement. For others, it means shining a light into the crawlspace. Check any pipes you can get too easily for signs of wear, corrosion, and leaks. This one simple check can help you pinpoint potential problem areas before they become a major concern. You’ll avoid water damage by doing this in many cases. 

 

Look Over Your Water Heater

Take a glance at your water heater and all the pipes, the tank itself, and any surrounding fittings. Look for signs of corrosion or malfunction of any kind. You’ll likely spot major issues almost immediately, which can help you make repairs or replacements before your home suffers any damage. 

 

Check Your Toilets

Properly functioning toilets are important and can actually save you money. Pay attention to how your toilets perform when you flush them. If they run smoothly and there isn’t any sort of delay, you likely don’t have anything to worry about. Also, add dye to the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl if you let your toilet sit without using it for at least 30 minutes. If you see the color coming through, you have a toilet leak you need to deal with. Pay attention to your toilets throughout the year, and you’ll notice any problem signs before they become serious issues.

 

Just checking up on your home’s plumbing in these simple ways will help alert you to many potential problems. If you notice anything strange, consider calling a plumber to take a look or start researching problems yourself. You’ll save money and lots of time by doing simple checks like these on a regular basis.