Monthly plumbing care is unglamorous. Run some hot water. Check under sinks. Boring stuff. Also the stuff that prevents $3,000 emergency repairs. Part of our complete Annual Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for NWA Homeowners.
Already have problems? Bearnwa fixes what regular care missed. 479-321-1313.
Run Water in Unused Drains
Guest bathroom. Basement sink. Laundry room drain. Any drain unused for weeks dries out. P-trap dries. Sewer gas enters house. Smell like something died. Run water monthly in every drain. Fills P-traps. Blocks sewer gas. Takes 30 seconds per drain. Also prevents buildup in unused pipes.
Hot Water Drain Rinse Weekly
Kitchen sink especially. Pour pot of boiling water down drain once a week. Melts grease before it builds into clogs. See what grease does to drains. Bathroom drains benefit too. Hot water melts soap scum and hair product buildup. See drain cleaning for when hot water is not enough.
Under-Sink Leak Check
Open cabinet under every sink monthly. Quick visual check. Look for moisture, drips, corrosion. Catch small leaks before they rot cabinets. Check flexible supply lines. Braided steel or plastic. These fail over time. Bulges or corrosion mean replacement needed. See leak detection for hidden leaks. Check drain trap connections. Hand-tighten if loose. Do not overtighten. Plastic threads strip easily.
Listen to Your Plumbing
Toilets that run constantly waste water and money. Jiggle handle. Still running means flapper or fill valve problem. See toilet repair. Dripping faucets. One drip per second wastes 3,000 gallons per year. Fix drips before water bills climb. Banging pipes when water shuts off. Water hammer. Needs air chambers or arrestors. Prevents pipe damage over time.
Garbage Disposal Care
Run cold water while using disposal. Flush 30 seconds after disposal stops. Clears drain line completely. See disposal services. Ice cubes monthly. Sharpens blades and cleans buildup. Citrus peels for fresh smell. No grease, no fibrous vegetables, no coffee grounds. These clog disposals and drains.
Water Heater Quick Check
Listen for unusual noises. Popping or banging means sediment buildup. Needs flushing. See water heater maintenance. Check for moisture around base. Tank corrosion or pressure valve leak. Feel pilot light cover on gas units. Should not be hot to touch. Hot cover means combustion problem. Check temperature setting monthly. Should stay at 120°F. Higher wastes energy, lower risks bacteria.
These Habits Actually Work
Five minutes monthly. Prevents hours of cleanup and thousands in repairs. Boring habits with expensive benefits.
📞 Call 479-321-1313 if monthly habits revealed problems. We fix what you found.