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You’re self-quarantined and just waiting to go back to work. COVID-19 has taken the world by storm and left many families spending more time at home, unable to go to school or work. Your plumber is an essential worker, one that can come to you and make repairs whenever there’s a concern. That’s a good thing because self-quarantining can tax your plumbing system considerably, leaving you with the need for more support from your plumber.
Changes in Your Routine Puts Your Plumbing at Risk
The coronavirus is changing the way you are living your life. You and your family are at home more often than you used to be. Many people are not going to work 8 hours a day or more. That’s creating more demand on your home’s water and plumbing lines. Keep in mind that you may be:
- Using the toilets more often.
- Washing dishes more often.
- Taking more showers.
- Washing your hands more frequently.
- Tackling home improvement projects.
The list goes on beyond this. Because of the changes in the way you are using your plumbing, there is an increased risk of problems associated with the systems present. That doesn’t mean all people will need to call a plumber or hoard toilet paper to make it through this pandemic, but it does mean you need to be aggressive in looking for signs of stress on the system so you can take action right away to minimize it.
What to Look for in Your Plumbing System
Take a few minutes to walk around your home. It’s important to consider each area and the risks for any specific plumbing concerns before overlooking a key problem area. Here are some steps to take.
Toilets: As the most likely component of your plumbing system being used frequently, be sure each one is in good working order. If you notice any draining around it or you have a tank that seems to just keep running, that’s an indication to call your plumber. You also want to minimize the number of risks associated with clogs. Don’t put cleaning wipes or baby wipes in the drain – they do not dissolve and can cause a backup.
Faucets: Did you know that a faucet that drips just one time every 10 minutes could cost you as much as 500 gallons of water over the course of a year? You can fix this problem by tightening up the seals or replacing the gaskets. Your plumber can help as well. Look for areas of damage and be sure to keep faucets turned off tightly when not in use. Don’t forget to open up the vanity and look under your bathroom and kitchen sinks, too. Even a small drip here could lead to a significant amount of mold and bacteria buildup if left unnoticed. With more use, this is more likely to happen.
Sewer Lines and Drains: With more material going down them, your sewer lines and overall drains are likely to need more attention than they did before. It is important to pay close attention to these lines if you have smaller children or others that may put stuff in the drain that shouldn’t be. Things can easily get blocked in these lines creating damaging backups throughout your home. It is also a good idea to look for slowing drains – drains that allow water to go down them, but the process takes a long time for it to happen. If you notice changes in your sewer lines, it’s time to call your plumber for repairs.
Hot Water Tanks: The hot water tank may be getting more use, especially if you are running the dishwasher more often, washing more clothes, and taking more showers. It’s a good idea to stay up to date on it. Older hot water tanks can be less efficient and can often lead to the need to replace them if they are not keeping up with your hot water needs. If you notice a lack of hot water on a consistent basis, it’s a good idea to turn to a plumber to see about upgrading or to find out if your current model needs upgrades.
Dishwashers: Most often, dishwashers do not need a lot of attention. If you are not running them more frequently, though, they may need upkeep and maintenance more often than they used to. It is a good idea to have your plumbing team inspect them and make upgrades if needed. This is also a good time to have them cleaned professionally to ensure no material buildup is occurring.
Coronavirus and Your Plumbing
There’s no indication that plumbing systems will fail due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, this is a good time to work with your plumber to ensure your home is in good condition. If you notice changes or inefficiencies, call right away to learn more about what you can do to shore up the system. You also want to be sure your plumbing is modern enough to keep your water bills in line. Upgrading to efficient toilets and faucets during this time can be helpful.
There are some tasks that may not seem necessary to do right now – such as upgrading or doing home remodeling. However, some plumbing teams can still offer insight and support to you about those goals. Make sure to take a few minutes to walk around your home to find out what you can do to keep your systems operating at their best. When you do this, and then keep up with them, you can rest assured your home’s plumbing can take all of the self-quarantine requirements you have to face.
When You’re Experiencing Backups, Call Your Plumber
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, we have a plumber that’s available to help you as soon as you need it. Don’t put off getting help for all of your plumbing needs, especially if you and your family are spending so much time at home. Our team can be there fast to resolve any concerns. Call us today for a consultation or repair.
