Maintaining a home is no easy feat because of the amount of work there seems to be lurking beneath the surface. Basic cleaning and tidying may keep your home looking great on the outside, but how is the nervous system of the structure functioning? Yes, we are talking about your house’s plumbing. If you think that it just consists of little elements, think again. The professionals today will describe all the aspects of home plumbing that you should be paying attention to, so you know how to keep your home plumbing well maintained both inside and out!

Bathroom

Faucets: Your tub, sink, and shower faucets often require the most attention in the bathroom as they can leak. Replace eroded washers and cartridges to fix a dripping faucet. Water supply pipes installed in the walls for your tub and shower drains can cause a problem as the leaks go undetected for a long time.
Toilet: Tub, sink, and shower drains are prone to get clogged due to soap and hair., Rather than letting them turn into full blockages, you need to periodically clean the drain using boiling water or homemade methods. You can also use drain cleaning products, and remove hair from such places immediately.
Drains: A toilet consists of several working parts, and a dysfunction in any one of them can cause issues. Open the tank lid of the toilet and look at the way it flushes. A toilet that keeps running rather than stopping at the end of a flush cycle wastes water, which is a limited resource. Fix any leaks or inconsistencies immediately to have a comfortable toilet.
Caulk Seals: The caulk around tubs and showers may not be considered as plumbing essentials. But when the caulking fails, water from your bathtub or shower can get behind the walls and under your floors, resulting in catastrophic damage to the house. If you live in an apartment, it can be worse, since the leaks can enter your neighbor or downstairs neighbor’s apartment. Make sure you check the caulking and replace it with a fresh fill to block any gaps periodically.

Kitchen

Refrigerator: If your refrigerator has a water dispenser and icemaker, it should have its filter changed frequently. Manufacturers advise you to replace it twice a year. A blocked filter can clog water flow to the ice maker or water dispenser. Make sure you also check your water supply hose for any wear so it can be replaced.
Garbage Disposal: Your garbage disposer can have a few issues in the broken drain connections where the dishwasher discharge meets the disposer. It can also be problematic where the disposer waste runs into the sink drain. Ensure that these points are well inspected and the connections are tightened. Replace your dishwasher’s gaskets if they leak. A garbage disposer emitting a foul odor needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Read the manufacturer's booklet to perform routine maintenance of the disposal system.
Dishwasher: While inspecting your home plumbing, take the time to watch and listen to your dishwasher when it is working. A slow-to-fill dishwasher may have an issue with the watering hose or the controlling shutoff valve. If your dishwasher drains slowly or the drain water collects at the bottom of your dishwasher after the task is done, check out your water discharge hose for pinches and clogs.
Faucets: A leaking faucet is the most common plumbing task one can face, but it wastes trillions of gallons of water annually. Monitor your kitchen faucets to make sure you don’t contribute to the water shortage problem.
Sink Drain: Your kitchen sink is used extensively for lots of tasks over the years. Hence, the sink strainer is one of the most common leak-producing areas. Watch your kitchen sink strainer and the P-trap whenever water drains out. You may find the need to tighten the P-trap fittings and replace the strainer basket whenever it corrodes or leaks. A sink draining very too slowly may have a buildup or clog in the P-trap/ branch drain. You can disassemble and clean out such fittings. Clean the kitchen sink drain regularly to remove any soap and food particles from building up. Use a mix of water, baking soda, and vinegar to break down these particles and keep your drain odor-free.
Shut off Valve: Your fixture shutoff valves that regulate water supply to the dishwasher, sink faucet, and refrigerator water supply are required to fully close down the flow of water when they are shut off. While checking them, make sure you close the valves all the way and inspect if they work as designed. Any leaks or drips indicate that it is time to change the valves.

Sewer and Septic Provisions

Septic system: If you own a septic system including a drain field, make sure that you get it service and cleaned regularly by professionals to avoid issues.
Sewer Mains: If your home has a municipal sewer line, limit mainline blockages by regularly maintaining them. If your home sees regular blockages due to clogged sewer lines or tree roots, make sure to get professional help to get the problem resolved immediately.
Vent Pipe Inspection: An essential aspect of your property’s drainage and sewage system is the vent pipe system that adjusts the air pressure and expels sewer gases. These pipes are normally meant to exit through the top of the home or building’s roof. It can be quite problematic if there are blockages as the drain system will not work as efficiently. Make sure all debris and ice blocks are cleared from time to time.

Other Home Plumbing Areas to Check On

If you have checked the above-mentioned categories, take a quick check at your outdoor plumbing too. These include:

Water heating
Shut off Valves
Irrigation System
Outdoor hose spigots
Sump pump
Home water pressure
Washing Machine

Now that you understand how extensive the plumbing work of a home can get, you may want to make regular checks on them so that the expenses of repairs and maintenance