Take Care of Your Plumbing the Right Way & Avoid Leaks

As a homeowner in Maui, HI, you take every precaution that you can to make sure that your home is running in tip-top shape. With your plumbing, you may not even think of how well it is working until you run into a problem with a water leak.

Usually, by the time leaks appear, you are faced with a mess at the very least and damage and a costly bill at the worst. Wouldn’t you rather avoid that headache by engaging in a little plumbing preventative maintenance? Here is what you need to know.

Prevent Pipe Corrosion

While it is commonly believed that age is what causes pipe corrosion, this is only partly true.

The chemical composition of the water in your area, along with the material that your pipes are constructed of has much greater influence over how sturdy your pipes are and how prone they are to leaks.

Your best bet to prevent pipe corrosion is to have your piping replaced with durable PVC pipes. Copper and other materials are common in older homes, but PVC has greater longevity and resistance to corrosion.

Don’t Use Chemical Clog Removers

It may seem like a good solution in a pinch, but using commercial drain cleaners to remove a clog is a bad idea.

Not only are the fumes toxic for your family to ingest in your home, the residue from these cleaners binds to the interior of the pipes, causing them to weaken and decay over time.

You are far better served to have a commercial drain cleaning done on a regular basis, which means that clogs won’t have a chance to form.

Reduce Water Pressure

You know what else causes leaks in your pipes? If you’ve got the water pressure on too high, there will be undue pressure placed against the pipes.

Over time the piping will eventually give way and leaks will happen. Adjust your water pressure so that it is in the 40 to 45 psi range. It should absolutely never be more than 60 psi.

How to Identify a Leak

Some leaks are easy to spot- like when you see pooling water or moisture accumulating on your pipes. However, some leaks are less obvious and require a little more thorough search.

If you experience an unexplained increase in your water bills, low water pressure, evidence of mold growth or water damage (i.e. peeling paint) you are likely dealing with a leak.

If you do suspect a leak or other problem with your pipes, you are well advised to call for professional help sooner rather than later. You’ll save yourself time and money by acting quickly.