1. Water heater maintenance and servicing
As a rule, your hot water system should be serviced every 2-3 years to ensure it continues to operate reliably and efficiently. At every service, the sacrificial anodes are replaced, the tank is drained and all valves will be tested for good working order. Most hot water systems have a life expectancy of around 8-10 years – if you service your system regularly, it will definitely be extended beyond that. After that age, it is generally more cost-effective to look at replacing the unit.
2. Check your flexible connectors
You have flexible connectors underneath your kitchen, laundry and bathroom sink as well as the connection from the wall to your toilet cistern. Flexible connectors are steel braided water hose with a rubber lining on the inside. They are known to corrode and rust like any other steel product and once the steel has rusted, it is very likely they will burst and potentially cause major water damage to your home.
3. Keep an eye on your leaking taps
Over time, leaky taps can become pesky and expensive. Have you ever been lying in bed with an annoying dripping noise keeping you and your family awake? If you have dripping taps, chances are you require a tap service. This involves reseating the brass seats behind the wall, this located where the tap washer sits and breaking down the spindle components, changing the O rings and fibre washers plus cleaning out calcium build-up and dirt, and relubricating the tap. After a service, your taps will be working like new.
4. Be careful what you put down your drains
Drain blockages are the most common plumbing problem our clients face. Sometimes due to factors like tree roots (which isn’t entirely preventable) and other objects and materials. Items such as baby wipes, makeup wipes, sanitary items, condoms, and paper towels are huge contributors to blocked drains. Being aware of what is going down the drain will help assist in the prevention of blockages. To avoid these issues, we recommend placing a small bin next to your toilet to dispose of these problematic items.
5. Check for leaking pipes
Leaks are annoying and are a very common plumbing problem in homes every day. Signs are often subtle but over time, leaks can cause major problems and damages throughout the home. Not to mention the environmental factors of water wastage and how about that high water bill?! You may also have a leak if you are experiencing low water pressure, an increase in your water bill, or maybe you have already noticed physical damage such as damp patches or mold growing. If you can see the source of where the leak is coming from, the pipe can easily be located and repaired. If you suspect you have a leak but are unsure of where it is coming from, organise a plumber from Ritz Plumbing & Electrical to attend with our leak detection equipment. Once it is located, we can repair the leak.
How to know if you have a water leak?
If you suspect you have a water leak somewhere and are not sure where it is, make sure all of your plumbing fixtures are turned off. Go to your water meter and take a photo of the numbers, wait for 15 minutes. If the numbers are not identical to the photo, it is likely you have a water leak.
