Many homeowners don't think about their home's plumbing system until there is a water leak, clog, or other such issue, but maintaining that plumbing system before there is a plumbing emergency will mean far fewer clogs and leaks, and fewer repair bills over time. This can also mean avoiding wasted water because of those leaks, and the risk of mould or mildew that develops around leaking or sweating pipes. Note a few tips on how to actually maintain your home's plumbing so pipes and other fixtures are always in good repair, and so you avoid as many plumbing emergencies as possible in your home.

Reduce the water pressure

You may love high water pressure in the shower or when washing dishes, but this means added pressure on plumbing pipes, and those pipes can then develop leaks around connectors because of this pressure. Pipes may also then eventually burst if water pressure in the home is too high. Check the water pressure on your home's hot water heater and add a pressure reducer if needed, to help keep those pipes from getting damaged and keep connectors to the pipes strong and secure.

Clean the pipes

Avoid using chemical drain cleaners on pipes, as these are very caustic and will damage the pipes. Instead, clean the pipes on occasion with very thick dish soap, using a brand without added lotions; squirt a generous amount of this soap into a drain and then run hot water over it, to clear away grease and other debris.

Soften the water

Minerals in hard water can cling to plumbing pipes and to the home's hot water heater, and then solidify. This can cause water blockages and damage to those pipes. If your home has hard water, add a water softener to the plumbing system, for water that is healthier for your skin and hair, and safer for plumbing pipes and water heater!

Call a plumber

A plumber can help to maintain the home's pipes, not just repair or replace them when something breaks. A plumber may use a type of sound blast that pushes through solid materials and other debris, or an auger that reaches into all the home's pipes, also clearing away any debris. He or she can check for water leaks, signs of rusted pipes, and for any pipes that may be coming loose from their hangers, the pieces that keep pipes connected to wall studs and floorboards. This routine maintenance will help you to avoid clogged pipes and will ensure the plumbing system in your home is always in good repair.