Essential DIY Plumbing Maintenance Tasks
You do not need to be a plumber to handle basic upkeep. If you set aside a little time twice a year, you can prevent many of the plumbing problems we get called out for most often.
Keep Your Drains Clear and Stop Using Harsh Chemicals
A slow drain usually gets worse, not better. One of the most common questions we hear is what plumbers recommend to keep drains clean. Our first recommendation is simple: skip the chemical drain cleaners.
These products create heat to break through clogs, but that same reaction can be rough on your pipes. Over time, they can damage older metal lines and weaken some plastic piping. Instead, use mechanical methods or natural solutions to keep your drains flowing smoothly without risking damage to your plumbing system.
A better option is regular preventative care. Our plumbers recommend using an enzyme-based drain cleaner once a month. These products use natural ingredients to break down organic material like hair, grease, and soap scum without harming your plumbing.
You can also do a few easy things to prevent clogs:
- Put a mesh hair catcher in bathroom sinks and showers.
- Never pour grease down the kitchen drain.
- Clear minor buildup early before it becomes a full blockage.
If a drain is just starting to slow down, you can try hot water with baking soda and white vinegar. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then flush with more hot water. This is easier than it sounds, and it can help with light buildup.
2. Hunt Down Small Leaks and Hidden Water Damage
Water has a way of causing damage quietly. A small leak behind a cabinet or under a fixture can slowly ruin wood, drywall, and flooring before you ever see a puddle.
Start in the bathrooms. Toilets are known for silent leaks that can waste a surprising amount of water. An easy test is to place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush. Wait about 30 minutes, then check the bowl. If color shows up there, the flapper valve, the rubber part that seals the tank, is likely leaking and should be replaced.
Next, grab a flashlight and check under every sink. Look for damp spots, stains, or dripping water. Run the faucet and feel around the P-trap, which is the curved pipe under the sink, to see if anything is wet. Check the supply lines connected to your dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator ice maker too.
If you find a small leak, take care of it as soon as you can. We’ve seen many “small” plumbing leaks turn into major repairs when they sit too long.
3. Flush Your Water Heater Annually
Water heater maintenance is one of the most overlooked parts of home plumbing care. We also know it is one of the most important. If you have hard water in Sheridan and many homeowners do, sediment can collect in the bottom of the tank over time.
That sediment is made up of minerals left behind as water heats. As it builds up, your water heater has to work harder. That can reduce efficiency, shorten the unit’s lifespan, and in some cases damage heating components.
Flushing the tank once a year helps remove that buildup. The process is usually straightforward:
- Turn off power to the unit at the breaker if it is electric, or turn the gas valve to the “pilot” setting if it is gas.
- Turn off the cold water supply above the tank.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the tank and run the other end to a safe drainage area.
- Open the drain valve.
- Open the pressure relief valve, or open a nearby hot water faucet, to let air into the system.
- Let the tank drain fully. Then briefly turn the cold water back on and off a few times to help stir up remaining sediment.
- Close the drain valve, close the relief valve, and refill the tank. Wait until water flows steadily from the open hot water faucet before restoring power or turning the gas back on.
If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, don’t worry. This is a great task to leave to a professional during routine plumbing maintenance.
4. Monitor Your Water Pressure
Strong water pressure can feel great in the shower, but too much pressure can be hard on your plumbing. It can strain pipe joints, wear out fixture parts, and put appliances at risk.
In most homes, water pressure should stay between 40 and 60 psi. Psi means pounds per square inch, which is simply the measurement used for water pressure. If it climbs above 80 psi, that is too high.
You can test it with a simple pressure gauge that screws onto an outdoor hose connection. Make sure no water is running in the house, attach the gauge, and turn the spigot all the way on.
If the reading is too high, the issue may be with your pressure reducing valve, often called a PRV. This valve is usually located near where the main water line enters the home. In some cases, it can be adjusted. If adjusting it does not help, it may need to be replaced by a plumber.
5. Exercise Your Shutoff Valves
Here’s something many homeowners do not think about until there’s an emergency: shutoff valves can seize up if they sit untouched for years.
Every six months, we recommend going through your home and turning each shutoff valve off and back on again. That includes the main water shutoff, the valves under sinks, and the shutoff behind each toilet.
This quick step helps keep the valves working properly, so they are more likely to turn when you really need them. It’s a simple habit, but it can make a huge difference if a pipe or supply line ever bursts.
6. Clean Your Faucet Aerators and Showerheads
If one sink suddenly has weak flow, the problem may be right at the faucet. The aerator, the small screen at the tip of the faucet, can collect grit and mineral buildup over time.
Unscrew the aerator carefully. If it is stuck, use a rag and pliers to avoid scratching the finish. Rinse out debris, then soak the parts in white vinegar for a few hours to help dissolve mineral buildup.
You can do something similar with a showerhead. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, place it around the shower head, and secure it with a rubber band. Let it soak, then rinse well.
This easy cleaning can improve water flow and help fixtures work the way they should.
7. Protect and Inspect Your Sewer Line
A sewer line problem is one of the messiest and most expensive plumbing issues a homeowner can face. The best approach is prevention.
Start with good daily habits. Do not flush wipes, feminine hygiene products, or paper towels, even if the packaging says “flushable.” These items do not break down the same way toilet paper does, and they can catch inside the pipe.
If you have mature trees in your yard, roots can also become a problem. Tree roots naturally seek moisture and can work their way into tiny openings in an underground sewer line. Over time, they can grow enough to slow or block the line.
Some homeowners use a foaming root control product twice a year as a preventative step. If you go that route, make sure the product is made for residential sewer lines and follow the label exactly. If you have recurring sewer line issues, it is best to schedule a professional inspection rather than guessing.
8. Maintain Your Sump Pump
If your basement depends on a sump pump, testing it before wet weather arrives is important. A sump pump helps move water away from your home, and if it fails at the wrong time, flooding can happen fast.
An easy test is to pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. As the water rises, the float should lift and switch the pump on. The pump should then remove the water quickly.
If it does not turn on, sounds rough, or drains slowly, it may need service or replacement. It’s also smart to check the discharge pipe outside and make sure it is not blocked by dirt, debris, or winter buildup.
Advanced Care: Sanitizing Water Lines
Some homeowners ask how to sanitize house water lines. In most cases, this is not part of routine plumbing maintenance. It is usually only needed in specific situations, such as a private well that tested positive for bacteria or a home that sat vacant for a long time.
Sanitizing water lines usually involves adding a strong chlorine solution to the system and running it through each fixture. The water then needs to sit in the pipes for a set period before the system is thoroughly flushed.
Because this process can affect water treatment equipment and needs to be handled carefully, we recommend having a licensed plumber guide the work. It is not a good project to guess your way through.
When to Call for Plumbing Maintenance Services
DIY maintenance can go a long way, but it does not replace a professional inspection. Some problems stay hidden until they are already causing damage, and that’s where regular plumbing maintenance services can help.
We generally recommend a full plumbing inspection every couple of years, especially if your home is older or you’ve noticed recurring issues. A professional plumber can spot warning signs that are easy to miss and use specialized tools to inspect areas you cannot see.
If you have slow drains in more than one room, gurgling toilets, sewage smells in the yard, or sudden spikes in your water bill, it’s time to call for help. Those signs often point to a larger plumbing issue, not just a minor clog or leak.
Final Thoughts from a Local Pro
A well-maintained plumbing system should do its job quietly in the background. With a little routine attention, checking for leaks, monitoring water pressure, flushing the water heater, and being careful about what goes down the drain, you can help protect your home and avoid many common problems.
If plumbing maintenance feels intimidating at first, don’t worry. Most of these steps are very manageable once you know what to look for. And when something feels beyond basic upkeep, our team is always here to help. A little prevention now can save you a lot of stress later.
