5 Things Homeowners Should know about Plumbing - Lindstrom - Fort Lauderdale

5 Things You Should Know about Plumbing

Plumbing tools and materials
You don’t necessarily have to know how to be a plumber, but you should know the basics of your home’s plumbing.

Owning your own home is an exciting adventure, with so many possibilities when it comes to things like decoration, landscaping, etc. But with the adventures comes responsibilities of knowing as much as you can about your home’s inner workings, like plumbing and electrical, to keep everything running efficiently, saving you money.

One of the most intimidating parts of the home is the plumbing—the idea of miles of pipes running throughout your home can be a little overwhelming.

Here are five things homeowners should know about their plumbing:

  1. Location of your sewer and water lines You’ve heard the radio commercials about calling 811 before you dig, and part of that is to locate your sewer and water lines. If you’re having any work done on your property, call to have your lines located to avoid any catastrophic damage.
  2. Main water shut-off valve If a pipe bursts in your home, do you know how to stop hundreds of gallons of water from filling your home? Where your main shut-off valve is located for your water depends on how your home was built—do you have a basement? Crawl space? Concrete slab? In some cases you can find the shut-off valve near your water heater or furnace. Other cases you’ll find it under the kitchen sink.
  3. Emergency shut-off for the toilet Does your toilet have a leak and you don’t know where it’s coming from? If you know where your shut-off is for your toilet, you can save money in potential damage, turning off the water to your toilet but still allowing it to be used elsewhere in your home. You can typically find the shut-off directly under the toilet tank.
  4. Your home’s water pressure Did you know your home’s water pressure should be no higher than 80 psi? Anything higher than that can lead to leaks in your pipes because of the damage caused by the pressure. You can purchase a water pressure gauge or call the local water company to check it for you.
  5. Reading the water bill and meter Knowing how to read your water meter, and checking it often, can help you catch leaks, which can cost you more money. If you know how to read your water meter, you can verify the usage charges on your bill, allowing you to be a more educated and aware homeowner. Call the number on your water bill and ask a customer service representative to explain the water bill to you.

It’s important that all members of your household know where the main water shut-off valve and emergency shut-off valves are located in your home, in case of emergencies. Speak with the plumbing experts at Lindstrom Plumbing about other ways you can be a more conscious owner.

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