Plumbing Maintenance like all home Maintenance can be a full time job, or feel like it at the best of times. Pretoria Plumbing Maintenance specialist Handy Guy offers the following check list to make sure your plumbing maintenance runs smoothly.
Check these things regularly, and more often in colder months. If you spot the problems early you can head off major issues at the pass.
When checking your plumbing system, remember that your plumbing system includes the geyser, the appliances like your washing machine, dishwasher and toilets are all included in the system.
Look for leaks, A puddle, a damp wall or a hissing noise are all signs of a leak.
Check the places where pipes run into the walls or the inlet pipes. Make sure everything is closed and check your meter. If it's still moving after 10 minutes there is a leak.
If you take a screwdriver and put the metal against a tap and the other end against your ear, you will hear the hissing noise of running water. Follow the sound till it becomes noisiest and you will know in which area there is a leak.
Look for signs of corrosion. On brass and copper fittings this will show up as a green stain, On galvanised look for signs of rust. When you spot these signs, It's time to check for problems.
Check your water pressure, Build up of sediment occurs in pipes, taps and showerheads. Sometimes, just a little cleaning is neccessary.
Check all outlets for slow drainage, Often slow drainage is caused by a blocked trap, or a sediment filled trap. Baths and basins get clogged with hair, and Kitchen sinks get clogged with fatty build up.
Cracked or hollow tiles around plumbing fittings are an indication that there may be a leak, gently tap tiles looking for a tell tale hollow sound.
Check taps for leaks, not just dripping but leaking when turning on taps around the head.
Check your toilet bowl for running water
Check your geyser for excessive over flow, and look for water marks and leaks along the base.
Check washing machine hoses for cracks and stiffness.
A few minutes spent checking these things two to three times a year is time well spent. Plumbing maintenance can prevent major damage in the long term.
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