When a pipe splits, you will be kicking yourself that you didn’t spend the time and money on pipe maintenance. Whether it’s a house or an apartment complex, water pipes can be a big deal when they split. Some homeowners insurance policies might not even cover water damage. Pipe maintenance can help you avoid the potentially costly situation of repairs and replacement of furniture. Here are some actionable pipe maintenance tips that might help you avoid these expensive damages and keep your home dry.
Prevent Frozen Pipes In Winter
In the coldest months of winter, the threat of frozen pipes hangs over everyone’s heads. A frozen pipe usually results in the pipe splitting because the ice needs more room than the water. To avoid frozen pipes, there are a few things you could consider, namely:
- Insulate Pipes: Exterior pipes and pipes that run through the unheated parts of a home, like the attic, should be adequately insulated so they don’t pop when the cold hits the water inside them.
- Open cupboard doors when a cold snap is expected: Opening the doors under your sink allows warmer air to circulate and lowers the possibility of water pipes bursting.
- Keep your thermostat in mind: it’s tempting to switch it off to save power, but you might end up paying more to deal with water damage cleanup.
Regular Inspections Are Necessary
Pipe maintenance starts with spotting issues and preventing them from being a nuisance. Regular checks on your pipes will allow you to spot things like damaged fittings or weak seals. Even the most minor leak could become an issue. It may take some time to run through each of your pipes from start to end every few months, but the time commitment is better than paying for water damage cleanup.
Take Care of Your Drains and Sewers
Most people think that drains and sewers are magic portals that stuff just disappears down. Proper pipe maintenance must look at these as well. A clogged drain leads to water backup, which flows back into your home. Checking your drains for blockages and leaks should also form part of your pipe maintenance routine.
Water Softening
If you live in a place where hard water flows through your pipes, the minerals in this type of water can severely degrade your pipe performance. Over time, the minerals may build up in the pipe, leading to blockages. They may also corrode pipe fittings and joints, leading to potentially broken pipes in the future. Adding water-softening agents may help with this situation. If you live in an apartment complex, you may need to contact maintenance to help you.
