Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Your Bathroom

Your bathroom may be the most important yet overlooked room in your home. The pipes and plumbing fixtures in your bathroom will all eventually corrode, which can lead to disastrous outcomes. Here are some tips to keep your bathroom plumbing in good shape and avoid costly plumbing issues down the line.

Toilet Maintenance 

Toilets are a common source of bathroom leaks.  A leaking toilet should be fixed immediately to avoid causing damage to flooring and baseboards:

• Check to see if the water level in the tank is not overflowing through the overflow pipe. The overflow pipe is the device with a small piece of tubing connected to it.
• If your toilet is running or your tank is overflowing, adjust the fill valve until the water stops just about an inch below the top of the overflow tube. Examine if your toilet has a water level mark stamped on the side of the tank.
• Test the flush valve mechanism by placing a few drops of food coloring into the toilet’s tank and inspect the bowl after about 15 minutes. If the water has changed color, then the ball or flapper is leaking. The flapper should be replaced immediately.
• If you see colored water at the base of your toilet, you could be dealing with a cracked bathroom toilet. Call in a professional plumbing service to help you with this problem.

It’s important to note that your toilet should never be used as a trash bin. Toilet paper is the only paper product that should be flushed down your toilet. Facial tissues are highly absorbent and can easily swell to block the pipes.  Wet-wipes are also a problem because they clump together and can turn into a huge clog.

Showerhead Maintenance

Showerheads can start to form an uneven stream once they become clogged with calcium deposits from hard water. Here are some simple steps you can take to clear them up:

• Unscrew the swivel ball nut. This can be done by using an adjustable wrench or channel-type pliers. 
• After unscrewing the collar nut from your shower head, gently clean the outlet and inlet holes of the showerhead by using a thin wire.
• Rinse the head with clean water and then reassemble the showerhead.
• To remove mineral deposits, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and place it around the showerhead — immersing the showerhead in the liquid, and attach it to the neck with a twist tie. Let it stand overnight before wiping away the mineral deposits with a damp cloth.

Faucet Maintenance

These tips can help fix common faucet issues that can develop over time:

• Unlike pipes, faucets O-Rings and plumber tape can wear down quickly. Occasionally, you’ll need to tighten your faucet screws and nuts/bolts, or replace the gaskets. ProFlo plumbing services can help you understand how regularly you need to replace these parts, or assist in an overall replacement. 
• Fix leaky faucets immediately. Doing this will help you avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets. 
• Clean your faucet aerators. Lime buildup and sediments that block the small openings inside the aerator can cause low water pressure from your faucets or water leaks from the handle. Clean the aerator using the following steps:
  • Cautiously unscrew the aerator by twisting it counterclockwise. If it’s difficult to extract, try wrapping the jaws of your pliers with masking tape and loosen the aerator with the pliers. Continue unscrewing by hand.
  • Take the aerator or faucet head apart. Use a small brush soaked in something acidic, like vinegar, to gently wipe away any stubborn minerals and sediment.
  • Return the aerator to its original spot and screw it back onto the faucet.

Bathroom Clogs

Bathroom clogs are a nuisance, and they happen at the most inopportune times. Here are some tips to prevent them, and ways to fix them if they do occur:

• Run hot water down the drain once a week to help keep it free-flowing.
• Install strainers in showers and tubs to catch hair and soap residue. Don’t forget to clean the filters regularly.
• Avoid flushing things that don’t belong in the toilet.
• Call in a professional when you need help unclogging a toilet or drain. 

Are you a Murrieta, Canyon Lake, or Temecula resident in need of bathroom plumbing services? Contact the licensed and experienced plumbers at ProFlo today. From pipe leaks and toilet leaks to slab leaks, we have the expertise to take care of all your residential and commercial plumbing needs. To schedule an appointment or to request a free estimate, give us a call today: (951) 694-1300.