As with any product that handles repeated stress, plumbing pipes can wear down with age and regular use. This can result in basic issues like leaks – but there are also things you can do to prevent this kind of normal wear and tear.
At Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, our plumbers are here to assist with this. Let’s look at a couple areas you can look at to reduce the stress on your pipes and hopefully prevent leakage issues moving forward.
Water Pressure
On the one hand, it’s great to have high water pressure in your home at all times. You never have to deal with ineffective appliances or a shower that takes half an hour due to water that can barely make it out of the nozzle.
On the other hand, though, high water pressure is a significant contributor to wear and tear on pipes, joints, faucets and valves over the years. Here are a few water pressure areas you can keep in mind:
- Water pressure can be measured using a hose bib gauge, available at all local hardware stores. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, our plumbers are also happy to check your water pressure levels for you.
- Water pressure should register between 40 and 85 psi (pounds per square inch). Anything that’s higher should be lowered, and anything too far below 40 should also be examined.
- Low-flow shower heads and faucets do not reduce water pressure – they simply control the actual amounts that are dispensed.
Water Softening
Homes that run soft water through their pipes put far more strain on these systems. Hard water can contain magnesium and calcium sediment that builds up over time, restricting water flow and corroding joints. Here are a few tips:
- Inspect faucets, shower heads and other surfaces near plumbing fixtures for white buildups and stains. This means hard water is present in most cases.
- If you use a well water system, have it tested or look at your last annual report. Anything higher than 140 parts per million is considered hard water.
- The most efficient way to rid your home of hard water? Get a water softener installed. We both sell and install these at Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical.
To learn more about maintaining pipes, or to find out about other plumbing services including drain cleaning, speak to our professionals today.