Being a landlord no matter how big or small the property is comes with many challenges. There are rarely any quiet days, and you are constantly having to find ways to ensure that your tenants are well taken care of, that your property is well maintained, and that the property value does not take a nosedive. The last thing you want is to be saddled with costly plumbing bills and plumbing maintenance issues.  Here is a simple guide with tips on how to avoid costly plumbing repairs, and to keep your plumbing running like clockwork.

Tips for Landlords to Avoid Costly Repairs

1 Regular Inspections

Never make the mistake of waiting until a problem appears. Performing regular plumbing inspections will put you in a great position to identify potential problems and sort them out before they become major issues. Remember to always seek out a licensed professional plumber to conduct regular inspections on your property. These regular inspections can help you save money by helping you identify areas where water wastage is occurring and help you decrease your monthly water bill.  Furthermore, regular inspections extend the lifespan of pipes and you will avoid costly re-plumbing that could have been avoided. Regular inspections also keep your tenants safe by avoiding plumbing issues that could result in your clean water being contaminated by your waste/sewer water. Finally, regular inspections will give you peace of mind in knowing that you have one less issue to worry about.

2. Conduct Drain Maintenance

As a landlord, one of the most common plumbing issues you may encounter is a blocked drain. Many tenants are terrible with ensuring that they keep their drains clean and free of objects that could lead to drain blockages. Drain blockages are a frequent problem because tenants generally do not care to properly maintain the facilities they are using. In some instances, some Landlords fail to conduct regular inspections, and drain blockages become a recurring problem. Unfortunately, as a Landlord you do not have much control over how people behave in the comfort of their rented properties. What you have control over however is regularly calling in a plumbing or drain expert to perform maintenance on your property to ensure that small problems do not escalate into big and costly problems.  Not only are they the most qualified to perform this duty, but they can also help you identify potential problems and sort them out quickly.

3. Do not use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical cleaners are not safe to use on your pipes. But in most cases when you are in an emergency and facing a drain blockage that has the potential to cost you a large sum of money, it is understandable that your first option would be to find a chemical drain cleaner to get the job done quickly and cheaply too. As a Landlord, you are in the business of making money and not losing it. But in the long run, chemical drain cleaners are not good for your pipes. The chemicals found in some drain cleaners can damage your pipes, especially if you own an old building with older piping or plastic pipes. If you use chemical drain cleaners you should stop immediately. This is because regular use of these kinds of drain cleaners can damage your pipes and lead to costly repairs in the future

Fortunately, there are some alternatives you can use to ensure your clog-free drains.   

• You can use a vinegar and baking soda solution. It is a very simple and effective solution for small clogged drains. You need a mixture consisting of half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar in a container. Pour your mixture down the clogged drain and wait for at least about an hour. Then you flush the drain with warm water after an hour has passed and you are good to go.

• You could use a plunger This is perhaps the most common way to unclog a drain. When using your plunger, ensure that there is enough water to give the plunger suction power. Put the plunger over the drain, ensure a steady grip on the handle, and push and pull for about 25-40 seconds, repeating the process until the drain is unclogged.

• Drain Rodding is a simple and effective way to unclog pipes. It involves using a long and flexible rod that is pushed through your pipes to remove anything that is blocking your pipe. The rod itself has a blade that can remove any blockages in your pipes.  It is a quick and affordable way to ensure that your pipes are clog-free.

• Drain Snaking is when a plumber uses a tool that looks like a hose to remove drain blockages. It is a tool that is a long and flexible metal cable that coils down your drain pipe, reaching the problem and unclogging your drain.  Plumbing snakes usually come in when the clog is too large for a plunger or a more simple tool to sort out the block.  They can be used on shower drains, and kitchen and bathroom sinks. It is relatively easy to use, but it is always best to call in a professional plumber to avoid accidentally damaging your pipes.

• Drain Jetting is a powerful and effective method of unclogging your drain that involves using high-pressure water jetting systems to blast away whatever may be the cause of your clogged pipe. Unlike chemical drain cleaners it is a safer and more environmentally friendly way of unclogging your drain. It can remove even the toughest blockages, decreasing your chances of experiencing blockages in the future. While this method is slightly more expensive than other methods, it will save you money because you will be clog-free for a long time.

4. Regulate your Water Pressure

High water pressure can negatively affect how long your pipes last. Monitoring your water pressure is a very important element of your plumbing maintenance. Regulating your water pressure is key in preventing damage to your plumbing system. Excessively high water pressure could signal a potential problem that may need to be addressed. The best thing you can do is to install a water pressure regulator to avoid your pipes being damaged in the long run. If even after installing a regulator the problem persists you can call a plumber there may be underlying issues that need to be taken care of and you will need to call a plumber.  Managing your water pressure is a great way to prevent damage to your pipes and avoid future costly plumbing repairs.

5. Use Pipe Insulation

Pipes in certain areas of your building like attics or basements are usually in cooler areas and are more prone to freezing. Insulating your pipes is the best way to prevent a worst-case scenario where your pipes burst. Pipe insulation is a relatively inexpensive endeavor. Where you can, install pipe sleeves that will drastically reduce the risk of your pipes bursting. You can use foam foam or pipe sleeves to ensure that your pipes are not damaged when temperatures drop drastically.

6. Ensure that you address any leaks ASAP

For many landlords, one of the most costly and recurring plumbing problems is leaking pipes Leaking pipes if not attended to immediately can lead to costly repairs. They can cause the growth of mold, and water damage and can drastically increase your water bill at the end of the month. As a Landlord, you need to ensure to perform regular maintenance on your pipes, where you check your pipes for leaks. Make sure to check kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and toilets to make sure that there are no leaks that could potentially cost you in the long run. Prevention is always better than cure.

8. Work together with your Tenants

As a Landlord, all your efforts at maintenance will come to naught, if you are performing maintenance regularly only for your tenants to continue to do things like throw food in the sink or the toilet and have their hair stuck in the drain from time to time. Educating your tenants about responsible plumbing practices will save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run. Remind your tenants that they should not be pouring grease down the drain, and not to flush unflushable things down the toilet.

In the US, the landlord’s responsibilities include the maintenance of a property's plumbing to prevent costly repairs. Similarly in the UK, lease agreements state that Landlords must ensure that the plumbing is working properly and that properties are free from health hazards: using a lease cost calculator helps manage these expenses effectively. Remind your tenants that if they fail to perform their responsibility of ensuring that the plumbing is running smoothly, they will be liable for whatever damage is caused.  Avoid waiting for minor issues to become major before talking to your tenants about their responsibility as tenants to make sure that they maintain responsible plumbing practices.

Your duties as a landlord are constant and in most cases feel like they never end. But when it comes to your plumbing prevention and maintenance is the way to go. Major plumbing issues are costly and you do not want to find yourself in an emergency that could have been avoided. If you try the above tips, you are more likely to have peace of mind and to save money.