When plumbing problems erupt suddenly, they can do so with a severity that borders on the catastrophic. But a regular inspection of your key plumbing fixtures can help you spot and correct developing problems before they become emergencies.
Bathroom
Bathrooms get lots of use by every member of the family, and it’s no surprise that this is the room most likely to see plumbing problems.
- Taps. It is the sink, tub, and shower tap & fittings that most often need attention in a bathroom. Check them regularly for leaks. Replace bad washers or cartridges to remedy dripping faucets. Water supply lines hidden in the walls for tub and shower drains can be especially problematic since such hidden leaks can cause major damage before you even spot it. Hidden water pipe leaks often reveal themselves with signs of water damage in the room below the plumbing pipes. Watch the operation of faucets as you run the water—if you notice weak water pressure or an irregular spray pattern, it may be because there is calcium buildup on the aerator. Aerators can be removed and cleaned manually, or calcium buildup can be removed by soaking in vinegar.
- Drains. Tub, shower, and sink drains in a bathroom are especially prone to soap and hair clogs, and rather than waiting for these to become full blockages, you should periodically disassemble drain traps and remove hair and debris. At the same time, it’s a good idea to snake out the branch drains to remove clogs before they become full blockages.
- Toilets. A toilet has many working parts, and any one of them can wear down and cause problems. Remove the tank lid on the toilet and watch what happens as you flush it. A toilet that continues to run rather than shutting off at the end of the flush cycle is wasting a lot of water. Fixing a running toilet is often remarkably easy. If your toilet rocks slightly when you sit on it, or if you notice water seeping around its base, then it is likely that the wax ring that seals the toilet base to the drain opening has worn out and needs to be replaced.
- Caulk seals. Although the caulk around tubs and showers is not actually “plumbing,” when caulking fails, it can allow water from a bathtub or shower to get behind walls and under floors, and the resulting water damage can be catastrophic. Periodically check all caulk beads along floors and walls to make sure it is intact. Seal any gaps you find with fresh caulk. Every few years, it is a good idea to remove the old caulk and apply a new bead of high-quality silicone tub-and-shower caulk.
Predictably, the places where you should focus your inspection checklist are those rooms where there are many plumbing fixtures—the bathroom and kitchen. But don’t forget to check around the house for the other appliances and fixtures, ranging from the hose spigots outside the house to the geyser in your roof.
Kitchen
The kitchen is another room heavy with plumbing fixtures. At least twice a year, inspect all the fixtures and fix any problems you find.
- Sink drains. The kitchen sink gets lots of use, and a sink strainer is a common place where leaking can occur. Watch the strainer area and the P-trap as water in the sink drains out. P-trap fittings may need to be tightened, and the strainer basket should be replaced when it begins to leak or becomes corroded. A sink that drains too slowly may have a clog building in the P-trap or branch drain; these fittings can be disassembled and cleaned out. Clean the kitchen sink drain occasionally. Using a mild homemade drain cleaner through your kitchen sink drain regularly will help to break up the usual buildup in the drain and keep the water flowing.
- Taps. A leaky kitchen faucet is the single most common plumbing repair there is, and it can quietly waste hundreds of gallons of water each year. Watch your faucet carefully as you operate the lever, and repair the faucet if it requires it.
- Shutoff valves. The fixture shutoff valves that control the water supply to the sink faucet, dishwasher, and refrigerator water lines are intended to completely shut off the flow of water when they are closed. During your inspection, close the valves tightly and make sure they operate as intended. If they do not shut off the water completely, they should be replaced.
- Dishwasher. During your inspection tour, take a few minutes to watch and listen to the dishwasher in action. A dishwasher that is slow to fill may have a problem with the water supply hose or the shutoff valve that controls it. If the dishwasher is slow to drain, or if drain water remains in the bottom of the dishwasher after the cycle is over, inspect the water discharge hose for clogs or pinching.
- Refrigerator. A refrigerator with a water dispenser and icemaker should have its filter replaced regularly—most manufacturers recommend twice each year. A clogged filter can block water flow to the dispenser or ice maker. Also, check the water supply hose for signs of wear; replace it if necessary.
