Home Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining your home’s plumbing can be a daunting task, but a little preventive maintenance can save water, money, property damage, and countless headaches later. It can be hard to know what to do and when, so we’ve provided this checklist to help you plan how to prevent plumbing disasters both inside and outside of your home.

Outdoor Plumbing

• Water Meter: These often lose accuracy as they age, so you should replace yours every 15 to 20 years.
• Water Main: Install a filter on your water main, whether you’re on city or well water, to prevent the build-up of sediment that can cause problems all over your home.
• Outdoor Hose Connections: A frozen hose connection can cause pipes to burst inside your walls. Make sure your hose bibs are frost-free, which means you can forgo the use of wrapping them in the winter.

Kitchen

• Sink: Check below the sink for signs of leaks or water damage. If water is found, it means pipes or connections may need to be replaced. Also, if your faucet is dripping, even a little, it can cost you big on your water bill; the fittings may need adjusting or replaced altogether.
• Refrigerator: The water line to your ice maker and water dispenser can be a hidden disaster waiting to happen. Make sure it has the approved copper tubing, working shut-off valves and the filter cartridges are up to date.
• Dishwasher: Inspect beneath the dishwasher to make sure the pan or supply line isn’t leaking.

Bathrooms

• Toilet: A running toilet can waste up to 250 gallons of water a day! Check the seal on the plunger to make sure the water tank is filling properly. The water fill valve may also need to be replaced if it continues to run after the tank is full.
• Shower and Tub: You might want to consider switching to a low-flow showerhead to save some water. Also, make sure the drains are all working properly.

Laundry room

• Washing Machine: The rubber water supply hoses often dry out and crack, leading to leaks and possibly burst pipes, causing water damage. Installing new braided steel hoses can help prevent damages from happening. Also, check the drains to make sure water is being properly diverted.

Basement and/or Garage

• Water Heater: Set a schedule for the regular draining and flushing of your water heater to ensure it’s working efficiently. Pay special attention to older water heaters and be on the lookout for leaks or cracks. If either is found, your water heater should most likely be replaced before it’s too late.
• Sump Pump: Make sure it’s in good working condition by pouring water into the crock to ensure it activates. And make sure its drain is free of any blockages, as well.

Call Terry’s Plumbing Today!

With this checklist, you can be sure to do all the necessary preventive maintenance for your plumbing throughout the year! And when you run into a problem you can’t fix yourself, Super Terry is here to help. Contact us today.