Plumbing problems in your home tend to occur at the worst possible time. Your water heater quits working when you have out-of-town visitors, or the plumbing backs up on a Saturday night. Thankfully, doing regular maintenance on all your plumbing will help prevent future problems. Here are a few tips to follow.

Water Heater

You probably don’t think about this plumbing fixture until it goes out, and you are suddenly left with cold water for showers, baths and cleaning dishes. Hire a water heater service San Ramon CA company to do a tank flush once a year to prevent calcium buildup in the tank and replace the anode rods. Using a lower temperature setting on this appliance will extend its life and save you money on energy costs.

Toilet

The most important action you can take to maintain your toilet is only to flush human waste and toilet paper in it. Keep all other items out of the bowl and place them in the trash instead. This includes hair, cat litter, paper towels and feminine products. Clean the tank regularly to eliminate bacteria and prevent mold and mildew.

Bathroom Drains

Install screened covers on your bathtub and shower drains to prevent hair clogs in your pipes. If you do get a clog, avoid using a chemical drain cleaner as it may make the problem bigger. Contact a professional plumber instead. If your drains are running slow, pour in a 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar, cover the drain for five minutes and then flush it out with a gallon of boiling water.

Kitchen Sink

Never pour kitchen grease of any kind down your kitchen sink. Instead, always dispose of these liquids in the trash. Don’t put items such as meat scraps, uncooked rice or coffee grounds in your kitchen disposal. Keep a steady stream of cool water running through the disposal whenever you use it.

Following these simple maintenance tips will help keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly and reduce the chance of future problems.