Most plumbing problems do not start as emergencies. They start as small changes you can miss, like a slower drain, a faint drip, or a water heater that takes longer to recover.
A simple maintenance routine helps you catch those signals early. It reduces surprise repairs, protects fixtures, and can extend the life of expensive equipment like water heaters and sump pumps.
Learn Your Shutoffs And Check For Hidden Leaks
Locate the main shutoff and every local valve under sinks and toilets. Label each handle and keep a wrench nearby. Twist valves a quarter turn twice a year so they do not seize.
Do a quiet leak check when the house is still at night. Shut off all water use, then listen for refills, hissing, or dripping. If your meter moves over 15 minutes, you likely have a hidden leak…