Your home’s pipeline is usually made from durable materials but even in this case, it’s not eternal or indestructible. Still, it’s not just about the materials or the installation. It’s about use and maintenance, as well.
Finding the right measure and approach to these issues is crucial to the functioning and longevity of the pipeline. Now, seeing as how some improvements/repairs on the pipeline are quite expensive, proper maintenance can save you a small fortune in the near future.
With all of this said and done, here’s what you should do in order to maintain a long-lasting pipeline.
1. Adjust the water pressure
The stress that the walls of the pipeline feel is directly connected to the water pressure coursing through the pipeline. Now, high water pressure sounds like something efficient. Why? Well, if the point of the pipe is to steer water, the quicker the water leaves it, the more efficient it is, right? Not necessarily!
This is definitely not true if the water pressure causes constant malfunctions and problems. So, adjust the water pressure below its limit and regularly inspect these pipes for any sign of damage. Remember, as the pipes deteriorate, the higher pressure will pose a higher risk.
2. Don’t use too many chemicals
Just because your pipeline is designed to endure contact with chemicals, this doesn’t mean that it’s a great idea to expose it to it constantly. Imagine a scenario where your pipes get clogged, and you decide to purchase a chemical to de-clog it.
Will this damage the pipes? Not much, but the damage will still be there. Now, add to this the fact that you will repeat the process over the course of years (or months), each time weakening the pipeline by a bit. All in all, using should be avoided whenever possible.
3. Professional maintenance
So, how do you fix an issue like clog without dangerous chemicals? Using auger is one solution to the problem, but it’s still far from ideal. A chance that you’ll cause even more damage is always present, and under such pressure, a lot of people don’t feel comfortable with a DIY repair.
In this scenario, it would be wisest to hire professional blocked drain services. The cost of hiring professionals is always lower than having to repair the damage that your DIY attempt at fixing the issue has caused. Also, it will make your household fully functional in no time.
4. Galvanized steel is probably not the best choice
When it comes to the material that your pipeline is made of, the majority of old homes and buildings (pre-70s) are made with galvanized pipes. Now, the working life expectancy of these pipes is about 30 to 40 years. In other words, even if this material was ideal at the moment (which it wasn’t), by now, its expiry date is long since gone.
So, instead of wasting time and money on maintenance, you should probably invest in replacing it. This way, you get a new pipeline and the privilege of doing it right the first time around. This will make your job of maintenance so much simpler in the future.
In conclusion
The health and functionality of your entire household are tied closely to the quality and reliability of your plumbing system. The material, age, but also the use of your pipes are what can make all the difference.
It’s what determines the cost and frequency of these maintenance sessions. The most important thing worth keeping in mind is the fact that no matter how quality they are; all pipe materials have their life expectancy. The decaying process can only be slowed down but never fully stopped.
