The Laundry Room may not be at the top of your priority list when it comes to home maintenance, but it's likely one of the most important rooms in your home – for doing laundry of course – but quite possibly for house and outdoor projects, storage, and as a home for other appliances. Below are some helpful tips on how to perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on your laundry room plumbing systems.
- Run the washing machine only when it has a full load.
- Inspect washing machine hoses for signs of wear. Replace rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses. They last longer and are resistant to leaks and cracks.
- Ensure that all drains have strainers to keep hair, soap and debris from entering and clogging the drain lines.
- Use a strainer on your washing machine hose. Hardware stores have strainers specially designed to fit laundry hoses.
- Check exposed pipes under sinks for signs of leaks.
- Apply Roto-Rooter® Pipe Shield® to laundry drain lines once each month to keep lint and detergent scum from building up and causing clogs.
- To prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home through your laundry sink drain or other infrequently used drains, periodically pour a bucket of water down the drain to keep the trap seal full.
- Install a flood alarm to warn of water from the washing machine or water heater leaking from the appliance or overflowing sinks.
- Conserve energy and prevent scalding by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120 degrees Fahrenheit or medium setting on older models.
- Consider replacing a worn out washing machine with a more efficient front-load model.
- Never store flammable liquids such as gasoline, adhesives or solvents near the water heater, furnace or other gas-fired appliance as they may ignite.
Call Roto Rooter Today
Don't neglect your Laundry Room plumbing! If you have concerns about your appliances, a leak in your home or your plumbing in any room, call Roto-Rooter today at 908-756-8110. Looking for more tips and savings on service? Sign up for our Roto-Rooter newsletter by clicking here!
