Thorough inspections are the key to catching small problems before they turn into bigger issues. Before calling a professional there are a few ways you can inspect your home for potential plumbing and drain emergencies.drain maintenance

Many routine maintenance tasks are simple ‘do-it-yourself’ jobs. With daily use of household sinks and pipes you may not notice minor concerns without a full inspection.

Here are some simple ways to inspect your home for potential problems:

  • Go through your home and examine your plumbing. Look at all the exposed pipes, including under sinks and behind toilet tanks for any signs of moisture or leaks. If it’s humid, condensation may naturally accumulate on a cold metal pipe, so note the dampness and make sure to recheck on a cooler day.
  • Check for signs of corrosion on brass or copper fittings. Corrosion occurs more rapidly on damp metal, so corroded connections could reveal a slow leak.
  • Turn on water faucets in sink, showers and tubs to monitor water pressure. Some variation between different faucet styles and purposes is normal, but all should have a steady flow.
  • After you run the water through the faucets, note how quickly the water drains after you test the faucet. Slow drains could mean a bigger clog waiting to happen.
  • Flush toilets to ensure they don’t run a leak at the base, a sign of a faulty wax seal. Also check to make sure the water stops running after you flush the toilet, which can be a sign of a valve leak.

After a thorough inspection, remove and clean aerators on faucets and shower heads. Sediment can build up and slow water flow. An easy way to do this is to fill a plastic grocery bag with vinegar and tie over faucet or shower head and let sit overnight. Remove and rinse with cold water.

Learn your sewage lines and where they are through your house and your yard. Take note of any excess moisture in the yard where these lines run, as people have lost entire yards to breaks in these pipe lines.

Installing any preventative tools like food or hair catchers in your shower, will reduce your risk of clogs.

Regular do-it-yourself inspections are important, but if you opt for professional maintenance, your plumbing professional will take care of all the above and may offer the following services, such as:

  • Drain treatment to maximise flow rate
  • Cleaning of garbage disposal and water heaters
  • Pressure tests to detect hairline leaks
  • Water pressure assessment and adjustment

Call our team at Drain Cleaning Gold Coast to learn more about how to effectively keep your drains and pipes running clean.