Plumbing is a part of your home’s mechanical system that requires regular maintenance and care. People who don’t pay enough attention to plumbing systems can eventually break their budget on repairs. You also have to account for the damage the leaking water can cause your neighbors. However, you can avoid these problems with a few plumbing improvement tips and tools.
Blackhawk Supply is the leading distributor of electrical and plumbing supplies with over 30 years of expertise. We want to tell you about the most accessible solutions for better plumbing and the longer service life of your equipment.
Now, here’s what you can do to improve your plumbing.
Insulate The Water Supply Pipes
The water supply pipes in exposed areas can freeze and burst. Such areas include mechanical rooms, unheated places, floor cavities, or exterior walls.
You can prevent such problems by insulating hot and cold water lines. What do you need for water pipe insulation? It’s easy:
- Grab a closed-cell rubber-based insulation product.
- Alternatively, you can get a tape material.
- Wrap the water supply pipe with tape until you cover the pipe
This will get rid of the condensation problems and eliminate mold, ensuring the pipes run at optimal thermal performance.
Install Water Hammer Arrestors
What is a water hammer arrestor, and when do you need it?
If you hear an unusual bang every time you turn off a faucet — it’s probably caused by a shock wave from the water as it suddenly stops after a valve shutoff. This issue is known as a “water hammer,” and it can break your pipe or faucet components.
The water hammer arrestor absorbs the water shock wave with a cushion of air. You can eliminate the impact of the momentum on your piping system and faucets, prolonging their service life.
Now, where to install a water hammer arrestor? The exact location depends on your piping arrangement. However, the optimal place would be at the end of the brand line between the fixtures. You can mount most arrestors vertically or horizontally.
Mount Water Softeners to Your Appliances
Water with high mineral content (like calcium, lime, or magnesium) can leave minerals in your piping system. As the minerals build up inside the pipes, they will restrict flow and corrode the joints. Naturally, this will damage your piping and appliances.
You can resolve this problem by installing a water softener system for your home’s water supply line. There are two types of softeners you can get:
- Regular softeners that deal with minerals in the water with sodium.
- Electronic softeners that dissolve minerals with electromagnetic energy.
You’ll most likely need a professional plumber to mount traditional (sodium-based) devices. On the other hand, electronic water softener installation is relatively easy — you don’t even need to open the pipes to do it.
Install a Drinking Water Purifier
Most household water contains myriads of bacteria and chemicals that can affect you and your water pipes. The reserve osmosis system and other filtration equipment will remove dangerous viruses and other contaminants from water. As a result, you’ll benefit from purified drinking water and prevent corrosion in your piping system.
You need to remember to change the filters and cartridges regularly. Filters collect harmful contaminants, and if you want to continue drinking clean water — you’ll need to invest in new ones. We recommend changing the filters every six months. However, their durability varies based on the model and manufacturer.
Set Up Water Leak Detectors
Water leaks can damage your floor, walls, and electric equipment. They can also contribute to mold and mildew, which is dangerous for your health. The worst part — leakages can remain undetected until it’s too late.
A water leak detector tool is a simple and cost-effective solution. These devices can monitor the water pressure in your plumbing systems and immediately notify you about water shutoffs and leaks. More advanced leak detectors can use WiFi to send alerts to your smartphone via the internet. Therefore, you’ll know about a problem before it becomes a catastrophe.
Smart water leak detector installation is straightforward. They usually mount near sump pumps, washers, boilers, or under sinks. After installing, you can set up the device using a smartphone app.
Add An Anti-Sweat Valve For Your Toilet
Now, what is an anti-sweat valve?
The temperature inside the bathroom gets too high, especially after taking a hot bath. This can create condensation because the water in the toilet tank is usually cold. Consequently, water can drip from the tank on walls and floor, causing mold and mildew.
An anti-sweat valve for the toilet will mix cold and hot water lines, ensuring an adequate temperature level in the toilet tank. You can regulate the temperature to make the water hotter. That will help you eliminate condensation in your bathroom.
A professional plumber can mount the valve in a matter of minutes. However, you can proceed with an anti-sweat valve installation yourself with the manual.
Check Your Water Pressure Regularly
The problems with your plumbing can be subtle. For example, the water takes too long to get warm as you shower, or the washing machine fills with water at a snail speed. This can indicate an unusually low or high water pressure.
You should keep an eye on the pressure in your pipes to avoid costly repairs. We recommend checking it at least once a year. And please, don’t hesitate to call a plumber if you have any concerns.
Conclusion
Our plumbing improvement tips should help you minimize your leakage problems and improve the service life of your appliances. Some of the tools we mentioned can be a little costly, but you’ll save much more on expensive repairs.
Blackhawk Supply offers a wide variety of plumbing devices and supplies. Choose the right tool today!
