Many major plumbing issues can be avoided by simply paying attention to your faucets, pipes, water heater, and garbage disposal. To do this, it’s important to take various precautions so that you’ll know when it’s time to call a plumber. Below, you’ll find five key tips outlined to help you get the most out of your plumbing system.

5 Key Considerations for Plumbing Leaks

1. Follow Your Gut

You may not be a professional plumber, but you can trust yourself to know when something is not operating as it should or looks out of the ordinary. If you do notice an issue, the first step is to locate the source of the problem. Scan your home for visible pipes, and take note of anything that looks unusual such as rust, drops of water or buckling.

2. Do Routine Checks

By remembering to do routine scans of your home’s plumbing, even if there’s nothing noticeably wrong, you can catch problems before they arise. This can save you from expensive repairs and leaks that will damage your important valuables or home interior down the line.

3. Be Careful When Decorating

It’s important to be mindful of your plumbing when doing any home renovations or improvements on your own to avoid causing any accidental leaks. This includes using stick-on wall hooks instead of nails to hang pictures, as you could accidentally puncture a hole in a pipe.

4. Avoid Overloading Your Sink

The area under your sink is the perfect place to store anything from cleaning products to glass vases, but overloading that area could be cause for concern. If your kitchen sink springs a leak, the items will mask the water until the leak becomes severe. Check the area frequently and avoid cluttering it with unnecessary items.

5. Don’t Ignore Your Water Heater

A leaky water heater is never a good sign. Most water heaters leak because the bottom lining wears away and allows water to drip out of the unit. Water heaters can also leak from the top. If you notice this happening in your home, give the product manufacturer a call to see if your water heater is still under warranty. Should you have to replace your unit, installing a pan underneath the replacement water heater can help you avoid the same issue in the future.

Notice a plumbing leak in your home? The trusted plumbers at Miller Plumbing, which has served the residents of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario counties in New York for more than 45 years, can help. They’ll offer an honest evaluation and competitive rates, and with a commitment to excellence, they’ll ensure your repair, renovation or installation is handled with the utmost precision. Visit Miller Plumbing online, or call (585) 533-1404 to fix emergency plumbing issues or upgrade your home’s efficiency today.