Plumbing is a major part of your home’s functionality and requires proper maintenance to keep small issues from becoming very expensive ones. According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year! Fixing these leaks when they are first detected is important to saving you money on your water bill and conserving water. Common types of leaks are:

• dripping faucets
• showerheads
• toilet flappers

Of course, replacement isn’t always necessary in these situations, but if you decide to modernize your plumbing fixtures there are many options available. If you decide to go green, there are many choices out there for water efficient shower heads as well as water efficient toilets. Just upgrading from an old worn out faucet can save you money in the long run!

 

Another common plumbing issue is clogged pipes. Sometimes this can create quite the mess for the homeowner. Getting the issue resolved quickly is key to saving you the headache. Proper maintenance and inspection of plumbing will likely prevent many problems with clogs as will following some simple guidelines:

• Avoid rinsing oils, grease, coffee grounds or other food items down the drain.
• Reduce the use of your garbage disposal by starting a compost bin.
• Do not use chemical drain cleaners- these can damage your pipes and harm the environment.
• Avoid flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper down the toilet.

Clogged pipes are not completely avoidable and sometimes life happens, so when it does it’s important to get the issue resolved instead of putting it off.

 

And then there are water heaters. Water heaters are a wonderful modern convenience most of us wouldn’t want to be without. So when yours malfunctions it’s usually an urgent matter. Calling a plumber and diagnosing the problem will get it back up and running in no time. Sometimes a simple repair will do such as the thermostat being replaced. Other times the water heater can be old and leaking and need replaced itself. A leaking water heater could result in substantial water damage and need for even more repair.

 

Aside from maintenance, maybe you’re ready to do that bathroom or kitchen remodel. Remodeling a part of your home can be very exciting yet extremely stressful at the same time. Using a qualified plumber will give you peace of mind that the job will be done in a timely manner and the results will leave you smiling!

 

Are your pipes old or corroded? It could be time to re-pipe your house. According to the EPA, homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. When these corrode (which is a chemical reaction between your pipes and the water traveling through them) lead can enter into the water, especially hot water. We don’t only want to have leak-free plumbing, we also want it to be safe! If you’re unsure of your plumbing’s safety have a plumber come out and inspect it.

 

There are many aspects of plumbing. Above all, maintaining your home’s plumbing is vital to having a well functioning home without unnecessary costly repairs due to water damage or putting issues off.