Preventative Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

The best plumbing repair is the one you never have to make. That's not just a saying — it's the reality of how plumbing works. Most major plumbing problems don't happen suddenly. They develop slowly over months or years, and a little preventative maintenance can catch them before they become expensive emergencies.

After 20 years of serving Bensalem, Langhorne, Bristol, Trevose, Feasterville, Southampton, and all of Bucks County, we've seen the difference between homeowners who maintain their plumbing and those who don't. The ones who maintain it spend a lot less money over time.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

These are simple things you can do yourself every month to keep your plumbing in good shape:

• Check under all sinks for signs of leaks — look for water stains, moisture, or mold
• Run water in guest bathrooms and rarely-used fixtures to keep P-traps from drying out
• Clean hair catchers in shower and bathtub drains
• Check toilet tanks for running water — lift the lid and listen
• Flush all floor drains with a bucket of water to keep them from drying out

Seasonal Maintenance Tasks

Pennsylvania weather puts your plumbing through the wringer. Here's what to do each season:

Spring: Check for any pipe damage from winter freezing. Inspect your sump pump before the rainy season. Look for signs of root intrusion if you have trees near your sewer line.

Summer: Check outdoor hose bibs and irrigation systems for leaks. This is a good time to schedule a sewer camera inspection.

Fall: Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas. Check your water heater before the cold season.

Winter: Know where your main water shutoff is. Keep cabinet doors under sinks open during extreme cold to allow warm air to reach pipes. Know the signs of a frozen pipe.

Annual Professional Maintenance

Some things are best left to a licensed plumber. Here's what we recommend scheduling annually:

• Professional drain cleaning for kitchen and bathroom drains
• Water heater inspection and flush to remove sediment buildup
• Sump pump test and inspection before spring
• Sewer camera inspection (every 2-3 years for most homes, annually if you have trees near the line)
• Check water pressure — high pressure can damage pipes and fixtures over time

Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is

This is one of the most important things every homeowner should know, and it's surprising how many people don't. Your main water shutoff valve controls all the water coming into your home. In an emergency — a burst pipe, a major leak, a flooding situation — being able to shut off the water immediately can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.

Find your main shutoff valve now, before you need it. In most Bensalem homes, it's located in the basement near where the water line enters the house, or in a utility closet. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to turn it off.

Signs You Need Professional Attention Now

• Any drain that's consistently slow or backing up
• Water stains on ceilings or walls (sign of a leak above)
• Unusually high water bills without explanation
• Low water pressure throughout the house
• Discolored water (rust-colored or cloudy)
• Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets

All Drains Plumbing offers preventative maintenance services for homeowners throughout Bensalem, Langhorne, Bristol, Trevose, Feasterville, Southampton, Yardley, and all of Bucks County. Give us a call to schedule your annual plumbing checkup.