As a homeowner, or even a renter, it is important that you never overlook the maintenance of your home or apartment's plumbing system. When you do this, it results in serious plumbing issues that can potentially damage your property. By maintaining your plumbing, you can minimize untimely interference and prevent costly problems. So, to help make your life a little easier, here are three maintenance tips that you don't want to overlook.

Tip #1: Locate and Address Leaks

More often than not, leaks never start out as large problems. Instead, they start out as tiny leaks that grow worse over time when left untreated. Over that time, these leaks result in an increase in your water bill. For this reason, it is important to keep an eye on your plumbing system so that leaks can be caught early on and repaired before they get out of hand.

Check all faucets and shower heads for drips, listen for the toilet constantly running, and check pipe fittings beneath the sinks and in the basement for any indications of excess moisture. Leaks can also be identified by moldy or musty smells, especially around water appliances like the hot water heater, washing machine, or dishwasher. If you believe you have a leak, contact a professional plumber immediately.

Tip #2: Prevent Clogged Pipes

When your plumbing pipes become clogged, it can result in a huge headache on your end, as it can interfere with your cooking, cleaning, and an assortment of other daily tasks. In addition, clogged pipes can also cause an increase in pressure on the plumbing system as a whole, which reduces its lifespan.

Clogs can easily be avoided by utilizing drain guards. Drain guards work by preventing hair, food, and other debris from going down into bathroom, shower, and kitchen sink drains. Drain guards are beneficial even if your kitchen has a garbage disposal because kitchen sink clogs occur primarily due to improper disposal of food. When using the disposal, make sure that water is running before, during, and after disposing of scraps. Don't forget to never pour FOG (fat, oil, and grease) down the drain.

Tip #3: Maintain the Water Heater

Your water heater needs to undergo regular maintenance so that it can operate at its maximum levels. At the bottom of the tank, debris and sediment will collect, which is why it is important for the water heater to be drained and flushed twice annually. It's also recommended to not set the temperature of your water heater too low or too high. The ideal temperature of the water heater is 120 degrees. Anything higher could result in accidental burns, but this is high enough to ensure no bacteria will grow.

For more information, reach out to a residential plumber in your area. You can also check out websites like https://www.blountsspeedyrooter.com/.