In many residential places, plumbing fixtures are among the things that people often take for granted. Thus, maintaining them is hardly given much importance. This is unfortunate because when these fixtures are damaged, serious plumbing problems can result.
Making things more difficult is that most fixtures like plumbing pipes are either installed inside the home walls or placed beneath the flooring, so it’s never easy trying to determine if they are in need of repairs. The key, therefore, is to prolong the life span of the fixtures, so expensive repairs or replacement can be avoided. There are various ways of doing this, and they are not really that hard to accomplish.
What Are Plumbing Fixtures?
These refer to the faucet, the shower, the sink, your toilet, the bathtub, and other similar items at home. They are mostly receptacles with attached wires through which water or other liquid substances pass through. Fixtures form part of your plumbing system, allowing you to consume water safely and conveniently.
The Average Fixture Lifespan
Below is a list of the life expectancy of common home plumbing fixtures.
These are among the main fixtures that comprise your plumbing. Pipes come in various types, but the most common is polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which is known to last for half a century. Pipes fashioned from iron, steel, and brass can serve you anywhere from 50 to 70 years.
The average life span of the modern toilet is 50 years. However, this home fixture usually has several moving parts, and some of them often have to be replaced at some point during a toilet’s life span.
3. Faucets and Sinks
If you can prevent them from getting damaged, most faucets and sinks can be expected to stay with from 15 to 20 years. However, this can still depend on the material used. Acrylic-based sinks should last for about 50 years, while those made from porcelain, glass, or copper only have a 20-year life expectancy.
4. Water Heaters
Tank-based water heaters have a maximum life span of 12 years. The tankless models last somewhat longer at 20 years, often because people used them only when needed, unlike the heaters that rely on tanks which operate continuously.
How To Prolong the Life Span of Home Plumbing Fixtures
If you want to avoid the expenses that accompany plumbing repairs, consider the following ways of extending the life expectancy of your home fixtures:
1. Locate the main valve.
When a plumbing pipe bursts, you have to turn off the main valve immediately. This will prevent serious home water damage from occurring. If you need tools to shut the valve off, these are usually available at your local hardware store.
2. Locate individual water valves.
Find out if there are separate plumbing valves connected to different fixtures like the sink, toilet, and bathtub. When shutting these off, you have to ensure that the connected appliances are also plugged out.
3. Maintain your pipes.
Find the time to inspect your pipes every now and then as part of your plumbing maintenance duties. If there are orange, green, or yellow stains, have the pipes replaced by a professional plumber. If these are left alone, they could lead to more serious plumbing problems.
4. Maintain the water pressure.
Using a pressure gauge, monitor your water pressure and ensure that the PSI is maintained between 40 to 85. A reading higher than this range can become too much for your pipes to handle and can lead to problems. If your home doesn’t have a gauge, an expert plumber can install this for you. It’s also a good idea to ask the plumber for plumbing tips on how your water pressure can be adjusted.
5. Avoid unnecessary flushing.
Some things are not supposed to go down your toilet. These include toilet paper, baby wipes, and sanitary napkins. If you’ve thrown one of these down the bowl and nothing bad happened at first, you might think you flushed them right. However, this is a dangerous assumption because when frequently done, the likely result will be clogged pipes.
6. Prevent drain clogs.
Clogs can be prevented by simply placing a filter or screen on the drain. This can prevent different stuff from going straight down to your pipes. With a filter atop your drain, cleaning will become easier. More importantly, you become confident that you have a clog-free drain and pipes.
7. Say no to drain-cleaning products.
The chemical content of many commercially-manufactured drain cleaners is known for being harsh. Using them can only damage your pipes. The best option is to get the help of professional plumbers. Per many plumbing tips, it’s more expensive to get a replacement pipe than to have this repaired and maintained by an expert.
8. Repair faucet drips.
If you have a dripping faucet, the initial reaction is that this is a negligible problem. This is an incorrect assumption because faucet drips means wasted water which can lead to higher water bills. Drips can also result in extensive water damage if they are left unaddressed.
9. Fix slow drains.
Slow shower drains are common signs of grime and dirt accumulation. To remedy this, simply clean your drains, but if you don’t have time for this, you can avail of professional drain cleaning services normally extended by various plumbing companies.
Plumbing fixtures are important components of every home, but they are often neglected as people think that they can last for many years. While this is true, the life span of these fixtures can be cut short if they are not regularly maintained.
To extend the life expectancy of your fixtures, there are practical maintenance measures that you should consider doing. These are not that hard to complete, and can be as simple as cleaning the drains and fixing a dripping faucet. If you’re not comfortable doing these things, there are trusted plumbing companies that you can readily get help from.
Ensure a Longer Life Expectancy for Your Plumbing by Contacting A Better Plumber.
Maintaining your home plumbing system should be given priority. This can help prolong their life span and keep you away from costly plumbing repairs. A Better Plumber is here to help you if you’re having a difficult time doing the maintenance work.
With the help of our plumber in Colorado Springs, we can guarantee ample protection for your plumbing and ensure you safe and convenient access to clean and safe water. Call us now and see the results that we can deliver.