When a home's plumbing system goes on the fritz, many people go to the store and buy drain cleaning products or call their local plumber and shout "Emergency!" However, what many homeowners fail to see is that some of the problems they are experiencing with their system could have been avoided by doing some regular maintenance checks.

To help homeowners maintain their systems, we at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing would like to suggest that you take into consideration some (if not all) of the following information.

Perform Your Own Maintenance Checks!

In general, homeowners should check their home's plumbing system at least once a month. Some of the things that homeowners should keep an eye on are:

  • Faucets, sinks, and visible pipes to ensure there are no leaks.
  • The garbage disposal to guarantee there are no clogs.
  • The water pressure tank to ensure that everything is consistent.
  • Toilet tanks (listen for any unusual sounds or noises).
  • Showers and bathtubs to guarantee there are no clogs (do this by watching the water drain).

If You Think There ARE PROBLEMS, DO NOT Ignore Them!

The reason that you should be performing your maintenance checks is to determine if there are any issues. If anything that we suggested above appears evident, it would be wise to address the issue as soon as possible. In fact, you should call a professional plumber, or at least someone savvier with plumbing systems to give you some advice on whether or not it is wise to call a company for service!

If Something Is Clogged Do Not Use Fancy Chemicals.

Some of you may be surprised to hear this, but we highly suggest that you AVOID any fancy cleaners or chemicals to fix clogged drains or pipes. Some chemicals, although they are advertised as being "safe" to use, can do more harm than good. In fact, we found that some chemicals can cause your pipes to erode. So, instead of using a potentially harmful chemical agent, try pouring boiling water down the drain. If that doesn't work, you can call a company to come in and stick a snake down your drain(s).

Consider a Maintenance Program Provided by a Reputable Plumbing Company Such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

In general, there is a lot to be said of a company that offers Service Plans. Not only do they recognize the importance of building relationships with their customers, but they are confident in what they do.

Here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we offer what we call our "Ben Franklin Society Membership Program." Being a part of our maintenance plan means that your issues will take priority over others. Second, you will receive rewards and discounts on many of our other services. Last but certainly not least, you will receive a full annual inspection by one of our plumbers at any time of the year.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we are proud to call many of our local clients friends. If you have any questions about our services, or what you should do when you are faced with a plumbing issue, do not hesitate to call or email us!