Parts Of Your Plumbing System That Can Be Easy To Neglect

A modern plumbing system can be an extremely complicated system, and you may not be aware of the problems or maintenance needs that the various components of the system will need to be addressed. In particular, there are a few components of plumbing systems that homeowners will routinely neglect until serious problems develop.

Sump Pumps

For homes that have drainage problems, sump pumps can be essential for preventing the basement or other low areas of the home from flooding. When these areas flood, the home can experience major water damage that can contribute to mold forming and spreading throughout the house. Each month, you should inspect the drain coming from this pump to ensure it is clear, and you should activate the pump to verify that it is able to work.

Toilets

The toilets can be one of the most important and commonly used components of your plumbing system. However, it is common for homeowners to rarely perform any maintenance on these devices until they become clogged or start leaking. However, you may be able to mitigate the risk of toilet problems occurring by regularly inspecting the interior components of the reservoir. In particular, it can be possible for the seal on the drain for the reservoir to become slightly misaligned. This can cause a slow leak that may increase your water bills, make exterior leaks more likely and reduce the force generated when you flush the toilet. There will be situations where you may find that the seal is warped or has developed cracks, and you will need to correct this problem by replacing the seal. In addition to inspecting the interior of the reservoir, you will also want to check the area around the primary water valve for the toilet as leaks can often develop if the valve becomes corroded or otherwise damaged. You should leave replacing this valve to a professional plumber as it could contribute to sizable water damage if it is done incorrectly.

Water Heaters

A water heater can be another indispensable part of your plumbing system. While these devices are made to operate for many years without experiencing major problems or needing to be replaced, you may need to clean them out every year. This is necessary as silt and sediment from the water may form clumps that can impede the performance of the water heater. Additionally, if you find that the temperature of your hot water has suddenly decreased, it could indicate that a heating element is starting to fail and needs to be replaced.

Contact a service, like L.J. KRUSE COMPANY, for more help.