Easy New Year’s Resolutions – Simple Plumbing Checks That Actually Matter!

You’re probably making the same resolutions you made last year: eat better, exercise more, finally organize that garage. But here’s one that’ll actually save you money and headaches in 2026: take care of your plumbing before something goes wrong.

Most Dayton homeowners wait until there’s water on the floor or a toilet that won’t flush. Then they’re dealing with emergency repairs, ruined floors, and bills that could’ve been avoided with twenty minutes of attention.

Here are the plumbing checks you should actually do this year – no special tools required.

Q: What’s the first thing I should check?

A: Your water heater. Walk over to it right now and look at the date on the label. If it’s over 10-12 years old, you’re living on borrowed time. Check for rust, leaks, or weird noises. A failing water heater doesn’t give much warning – it just goes. And when it does, you’re looking at water damage plus the cost of a rushed replacement.

Q: How do I know if I have a hidden leak?

A: Check your water meter before bed. Don’t use any water overnight (no toilets, no ice makers, nothing). Check the meter again in the morning. If the numbers changed, water’s going somewhere it shouldn’t. Could be a toilet, could be a pipe – either way, you’re literally paying for water you’re not using.

Q: Should I really care about my garbage disposal?

A: If you want it to last, yeah. Once a month, grind ice cubes and rock salt to clean the blades. Stop putting grease, coffee grounds, and potato peels down there – they’re clog magnets. And run cold water for 15 seconds after you’re done grinding anything. That’s it. Do that, and your disposal will outlive most of your other appliances.

Q: What about those slow drains in my bathroom?

A: Hair and soap buildup are choking your pipes. Pull out the stopper in your sink and clean it – you’ll be disgusted, but your drain will flow better. For showers, get a drain snake (they’re like $5) and pull out whatever’s lurking down there. Skip the chemical drain cleaners – they corrode pipes and rarely fix the real problem. If it’s still draining slow after that, you need professional drain cleaning.

Q: When should I actually call a plumber?

A: Before things get worse. That toilet that runs constantly? It’s wasting up to 200 gallons a day. That drip under the sink? It’s causing mold you can’t see yet. Water pressure suddenly dropped? That’s a sign something’s restricting flow somewhere in your system. These aren’t problems that fix themselves – they’re problems that get expensive if you ignore them.

Spartan Plumbing serves Dayton, Cincinnati, Beavercreek, Springboro, and the Greater Dayton area. We handle everything from basic plumbing services to emergency repairs – and we’d rather help you prevent problems than fix disasters.

Make 2026 the year you stop ignoring your plumbing. Contact us or call (937) 203-0339 to schedule a whole-home plumbing inspection!