Tips for Caring for Your Basement Plumbing System

How often do you use your basement? If you have a finished basement, you may use it daily to sit and watch TV or work on hobbies. Many homeowners, even those whose basements are finished, only use that space for laundry or a guest room. It may be days or even weeks between trips downstairs. If your basement is unfinished, it is likely that you only use it for storage. You may be keeping items down there that are valuable to you but don’t get a lot of use. Since the basement doesn’t always get a lot of attention, it is important that you routinely do a quick inspection for signs of plumbing issues.

Nobody wants to discover a plumbing problem in their kitchen or bathroom. Plumbing issues in the basement, however, can potentially be even more damaging, because they can go unnoticed. It is important that homeowners routinely check the plumbing system in their basement for signs of wear or problems so that issues can be addressed quickly before they escalate into something worse. Finding a basement plumbing issue sooner rather than later can make the difference between a minor, inexpensive repair and a major overhaul with a large price tag.

• 1. Sewer Gas Issues: Sometimes sewer gases can escape from basement floor drains. If this happens, there will be a terrible smell invading your basement, and possibly your whole house. You can prevent this from happening by occasionally pouring a bucket of water down the drain. This will help to keep the trap seal full.
• 2. Hidden Water Leaks: You can have a leak and not even know it if the leak is located somewhere in the basement where it isn’t easily visible. Fortunately, you can easily check your plumbing system for indications of a leak without tearing your walls apart. Just make sure that all sources of water in the house are turned off, and go check the water meter. If the meter is moving when no water is in use, then there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Call a professional plumber to locate the leak and repair it for you before you have a busted pipe and water damage on your hands.
• 3. Water Hammer Noise: Can you hear your pipes clanging? You don’t have to live with that annoying noise. Shock absorbers can be installed in your plumbing system. The shock absorbers will absorb the vibration in your water lines and deaden the noise that is produced.
• 4. Washing Machine Hoses: Washing machine hoses don’t last forever. Eventually, they will begin to wear and need to be replaced. Check the hoses on your washing machine, and look for any problems, like a leak, bulge, or weak area. If you see any of these things, it is time to replace the hose.
• 5. Septic Tanks: Septic tanks require occasional maintenance. Every three to five years, you should have your septic tank inspected and pumped. This regular service can prevent you from having to have a filter field replacement, which is a much more expensive repair.

These few simple steps in caring for your basement plumbing system will keep your system in tip top shape and prevent bigger, more expensive problems from occurring. If you need help inspecting your plumbing system or if you find something that needs to be repaired, call Scott English Plumbing. We perform all types of plumbing maintenance and repairs, and we are available for you around the clock. Contact Scott English Plumbing for assistance today.