Whether you’re a new homeowner or have lived in the same home for years, maintaining your plumbing is essential.
It doesn’t need to be complex. An annual checklist and occasional professional support can prevent major issues and protect your home.
Here’s what you need to do to keep your plumbing in good working order and avoid future problems.
Why Is Plumbing Maintenance Important?
If we’re being honest, plumbing isn’t something most of us think about until something goes wrong. However, if you’ve ever dealt with a clogged drain or a burst pipe, you probably know how annoying—and expensive—plumbing issues can be.
Regular maintenance helps you avoid all kinds of surprises.
Prevent Costly Repairs and Extend System Lifespan
Plumbing systems, like cars, require routine maintenance such as tire rotations and oil changes. Most serious plumbing problems start as minor issues like mineral buildup or small leaks.
Regular inspections and timely repairs keep small problems from worsening. A dripping faucet left unrepaired can lead to damaged flooring or cabinets.
Routine maintenance also extends the life of your entire system, ensuring your pipes and fixtures perform efficiently over time.
Ensure Efficient Operation
Plumbing problems are not only costly but also disruptive. Poor water pressure can affect daily routines like showering, and high water bills can strain your monthly budget.
Regular checkups help catch hidden leaks and sediment buildup early. Though small, these issues force your system to work harder, reducing efficiency and increasing expenses. Addressing them promptly keeps your plumbing running smoothly.
What to Include in Your Annual Plumbing System Maintenance Checklist
While consulting a professional is necessary in some cases, there are some key areas that you can inspect yourself. If you keep an eye on these each year, you can call for help only when you need it.
Inspecting Pipes and Drains
It’s smart to inspect the exposed pipes in your basement, behind appliances, or under the sink. You’ll be able to see signs of corrosion and mold, if present. If you see those, there may be a hidden leak.
You’ll also want to pay attention to how your drains are flowing. Slow drainage could indicate a buildup in the pipes.
For regular maintenance, you can flush your drains with a mix of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. The mixture will break down minor clogs, and it won’t harm your pipes like chemical drain cleaners do.
Water Heater Care
Once a year, you should flush the water heater tank to remove buildup, which is often the main culprit behind overheating. This is more common in areas with hard water, but you should do it nonetheless.
Other than flushing the tank, you should check the temperature setting. If it’s too high, it can be overusing energy. Keeping it around 120°F is mostly ideal, but you can change it according to your personal preferences.
Bathroom and Kitchen Maintenance
Bathrooms and kitchens see the most water usage in any home, so it’s no surprise they need special attention when it comes to maintenance.
Toilet and Bathroom Drains
The worst thing about toilets is that they can leak silently, which can waste gallons of water without you noticing. An easy way to test for leaks is to add a few drops of food coloring to the tank.
If the color shows up in the bowl without flushing, that means there’s a leak.
You should also check around the base of the toilet for signs of water damage, and a musty smell can be a sign that something is wrong.
For sinks and tubs, remove the drain stoppers and clean them regularly (or have a professional do it). Over time, hair and soap scum can cause slow drainage.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance
To keep your garbage disposal fresh, avoid throwing eggshells, coffee grounds, and fibrous veggies. All of these can lead to blockages, along with greasy remnants.
To maintain it, run cold water while the disposal is on and throw in some ice cubes.
Outdoor Plumbing Maintenance
Outdoor plumbing often gets overlooked, but not anymore. Here’s everything you should pay attention to in your outdoor plumbing system.
Inspect Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
Check your outdoor faucets for leaks or cracks, especially after winter. And don’t forget to inspect connections for wear and tear. Over time, these neglected elements may cause much bigger problems, especially if the weather is rough in your area.
Septic System and Sewer Line Care
If your house has a septic system, keep an eye out for pooling water, slow drains, or foul odors. You should also schedule a professional inspection every 2–3 years. If you ignore maintenance, fixes could be pretty expensive.
Advanced Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Beyond the basics, a few advanced plumbing checks can help you catch issues early.
These don’t need to be done regularly, but monitoring them occasionally helps you recognize when professional help is needed.
Water Pressure and Leak Detection
If the water pressure is too high, it can stress your pipes and increase the risk of leaks. A pressure gauge can give you quick readings, which can be helpful because you’ll notice when something is wrong.
The ideal pressure is 40–60 PSI, so you’ll know if you have high pressure.
Professional Plumbing Inspections
Even with the best DIY hacks, there’s no alternative for a trained eye. Hiring a professional plumber to do an annual inspection can be incredibly helpful. It’s a small investment that will save you plenty of money in the long run.
The Value of Keeping a Plumbing Maintenance Schedule
Now that we’ve covered what you should do, let’s talk about when you should do it.
Save Money with Preventive Maintenance
When you follow a maintenance schedule, small fixes stay small. You can create reminders to check for slow drains, blockages, and leaks every couple of months. Meanwhile, septic system inspections can be once every two or three years.
Avoid Emergency Repairs and Downtime
We all know plumbing emergencies never happen at a good time. You don’t want your water heater to die on a holiday weekend or the day of a family lunch gathering.
Regular maintenance helps reduce the likelihood of these unexpected issues. If you catch a small leak while it’s still small, it won’t escalate into something bigger. That way, emergency repairs will hopefully be less common.
Let Bumble Bee Plumbing Handle Your Maintenance Needs
Keeping your home’s plumbing in good condition doesn’t have to be difficult with the right support.
Bumble Bee Plumbing provides reliable service to homeowners in Sandy, UT, and throughout Salt Lake City. From minor leaks and tough clogs to preventive maintenance, we handle every job efficiently.
With a strong work ethic and a focus on lasting solutions, we make plumbing service simple and effective.
When you need the job done right the first time, call Bumble Bee Plumbing.
Contact Us Today for Reliable Plumbing Services
When something goes wrong, you need a team that shows up on time and gets things flowing again fast. From urgent repairs to full system upgrades, Bumble Bee Plumbing is ready to help.
Reach out today for plumbing service that’s efficient, professional, and always dependable. You can call us at (385) 205-1833 or request an estimate for your plumbing needs here. Our customer service agents are also available for chat if you need instant help.
