Ken’s Guide to General Plumbing

Your home’s plumbing system is an essential part of a comfortable standard of living.

If it’s not working properly, you won’t be able to shower, wash your hands, use the toilet, wash dishes, water the lawn, or run the washing machine. Plumbing systems are responsible for quite a bit; however, most people don’t really know what their plumbing system is. They just turn the handle or press a button and expect the water to come out at the precise temperature and pressure they want.

As a homeowner, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how your plumbing system works, so that you can take better care of it and prevent costly breakdowns. Keep reading to learn the 3 major categories of your home’s plumbing system.

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The plumbing in your home is a complex system of pipes, faucets, fittings, and drainage systems. Most of your plumbing is working behind the scenes, so it can be difficult to determine if there are any problems on the horizon. Fortunately, there are many things you can do (or not do) that can extend the life of your plumbing system and keep major problems from happening down the road.

Get a Plumbing Inspection

One of the best ways to prevent plumbing problems is knowing what to look for. That’s why most manufacturers of plumbing products recommend at least one plumbing system inspection every year. A professional plumber will know what to look for, give your home a good inspection, and let you know what you need to do to keep your plumbing in the best condition possible.

If you do have a plumbing problem brewing, a professional plumber will be able to identify the problem before it gets any bigger and recommend the best course of action. Don’t hesitate to get your plumbing inspected. It could save you thousands!

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Winterize Your Plumbing

While South Carolina isn’t considered a cold climate, it can still get very cold here and most homes aren’t built with cold weather in mind. Because of this when the temperatures do drop below freezing, the pipes in your home are likely not the most insulated against the cold. This leaves them very susceptible to freezing.

Frozen pipes are both dangerous and inconvenient. When pipes freeze, the water inside expands and can cause cracks, leaks, or breaks in the joints. If your pipes break and start leaking, it can cause some serious damage to the rest of your home. Additionally, if the water in your pipes is frozen, you won’t be able to take showers, wash dishes, run the washing machine, or any other task that requires running water.

Here are a few quick tips on preventing your pipes from freezing:

• Keep your house temperature at least 65 degrees or higher, even if you’re leaving the house for the weekend. We have seen some people go lower, and while they have seen no damage when setting their thermostats to 60, we recommend playing on the safe side.
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate towards the pipe.
• Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. Poorly insulated homes are one of the reasons pipes burst. Insulating these walls and crawl spaces can prevent freezing.
• Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
• If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.

If your pipes do happen to freeze, here are a couple of things you can do:

• Shut off the water supply to the affected pipes.
• Gather tools for mopping up spills and turn the affected faucets to the “on” position.
• Locate the frozen area, if possible, and gently heat exposed pipes. Use space heaters or similar tools if the frozen pipe is not exposed.
• Once the water begins flowing, double-check for any damage to the pipes.