The plumbing system in your home is more than just the pipes, faucets, and sinks. There are other small fixtures which are barely noticed, but which play a significant role in holding your home's plumbing together. They include the rubber seals that connect the pipes and hoses in sinks and showers. They create an airtight seal around the connections and prevent plumbing leaks.

Just like most fixtures, these gaskets or seals are bound to wear over time and require replacement. However, certain factors can cause them to wear and crack before the end of their usable life. Read on to find out some of the measures that you can take to protect the plumbing seals from cracks and premature wear.

Don't shut down your water system

Most people shut down their water system when leaving for a vacation or an extended holiday. Shutting down water not only saves on water bills, but it can also prevent flooding if there is a plumbing mishap. However, this can do more harm than good by drying out the seals in your plumbing fixtures and causing them to crack. Plumbing seals need regular exposure to water so that they don't dry out and deteriorate prematurely.

There are measures that you can take when taking a long vacation away from your home to ensure that you plumbing seals remain in good condition. For instance, you can have someone home-sit while you are away so that you don't have to shut down the water. Alternatively, you can have someone come in and run the water now and then. Whichever option you go for, make sure that it involves the seals remaining hydrated during the period that you will be away.

Check plumbing seals before buying a home

When purchasing a home, many people are concerned with the seemingly important parts of the plumbing system such as the shower, faucets, sinks, and drains. Most people don't think to inspect the seals. If the home was unoccupied for an extended period, chances are that the seals may have deteriorated due to prolonged dryness.

Inspect all the seals under the sinks, in the shower, and those connected to your washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances that are connected to the plumbing system. Look out for cracks and signs of wear before buying a home. If you don't, you may start dealing with plumbing leaks and repairs a short period after moving into the new place.

Regularly inspect your seals as they are bound to wear out at some point. If they are cracked, you can have a professional plumber replace them before you start experiencing leaks in your pipes and hoses.

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