Maintaining your plumbing system is essential for keeping your home or commercial property running smoothly. A plumbing maintenance checklist can help prevent damage to your plumbing system and save you time and money in the long run. No matter what type of property you own or manage, you’ll want to make sure you follow the below list on a regular basis to protect your home or workplace from future damage. Here at Northwich Plumbers, we can support you with a range of commercial plumbing concerns, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information about the services we offer.
Check for Leaks
Leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems and are an indicator that something more serious could be happening within your plumbing system. When leaks aren’t resolved in a timely manner, this can lead to structural damage, mould, and higher water bills. As part of your plumbing maintenance checklist, inspect all of the visible pipes, taps, and under-sink areas for dripping or moisture. Don’t forget your outdoor taps and any irrigation systems you have as well, as property owners often overlook these. A commercial plumbing service can support you with this task, as leaks can be harder to notice in commercial plumbing systems due to the complexity of the system.
Inspect Water Pressure
Water pressure that’s showing a high reading is another indicator that there could be troubles with your plumbing system. When it’s too high, it can put a lot of strain on your pipes and fixtures. On the other hand, water pressure that’s too low might indicate a blockage or leak. You can use a water pressure gauge to check the pressure in your property. For homes, this should typically sit between 40 and 60 psi. Add this to your checklist of plumbing maintenance as a quarterly task, especially if you run a business that relies on consistent water flow.
Clean Taps and Showerheads
Mineral build-up from hard water can reduce the efficiency of taps and showerheads. To make sure they work properly, remove these fittings and soak them in vinegar or a descaling solution to remove debris. When you clean your showerheads and aerators, you’ll notice that this simple task can help to improve your water flow and water pressure. We recommend carrying out this task about every month to avoid long-term issues.
Listen for Unusual Noises
A good indicator that there is an issue with your plumbing system would be unusual noises. Gurgling, banging, or whistling sounds in your plumbing could be signs of air in the pipes, water hammer issues, or other faults. As soon as you notice an unusual sound, we recommend calling a professional commercial plumber if you are unsure of the source of the issue. They’ll be able to trace where the sound is coming from and find a solution to the issue that will put an end to this potential annoyance.
Test All Drains
Slow drainage is often a sign of a clog forming in your pipes. To test your drains, run water through the sinks, drains, and showers to make sure the water is draining as expected. You should also go around your bathrooms to make sure your toilets and urinals are flushing properly. This is one of the things to put on your plumbing maintenance checklist on a more regular basis, and depending on how frequently your building is used, may even need doing on a weekly or monthly basis.
Schedule Professional Inspections
While many of the tasks we’ve shared above can be carried out by you on your own, we always recommend booking a professional inspection with a plumber once or twice a year. Although you may catch most problems by yourself, you’ll want to get a professional opinion and ensure that you don’t leave minor issues too long that they end up becoming bigger issues. Professionals also have tools such as cameras which can inspect your pipes internally. They’ll be able to find cracks and other issues that aren’t always invisible from the outside.
By creating and using a plumbing maintenance checklist on a regular basis, you’re not only protecting your property in the long run but also potentially saving yourself time and money. All of these tasks should be added to a checklist that you can refer back to every week, month, or quarter to complete the necessary tasks as needed. Should you find that you are unable to carry out some of these inspections by yourself or that you need extra support with your plumbing work, contact a commercial plumber who can help you with any of the tasks we’ve shared above. Get in touch with us today to book your next plumbing inspection or to discuss any concerns you have about your current plumbing system.
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