Perhaps U.S. Historian Ben Franklin was talking about a home plumbing inspection when he uttered his famous “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” line. What Big Ben was trying to so aristocratically say is that the best way to avoid an emergency plumbing call is by performing regular inspections and maintenance on the pipes and appliances in your home. In much of the same way that individuals avoid the doctor because they’re scared of the results, there may be some discoveries that you make during the inspection that could cause sleepless nights. Remember though that finding some of these potential problems early can prevent major catastrophes in the long term.
Leaks
Leaks around your home can be annoying but many individuals have a tendency to overlook them or just ignore them altogether. Most homeowner’s insurance policies have you covered in the case that a leak becomes catastrophic…but not always. If you are found negligent by the insurance company in not fixing a small leak, you may not be covered. In addition, think about all of the water you’re wasting by not taking care of leaks.
Oxidized Pipes
Pipes that are rusted out will not only start leaking, they could give way in the future to cause a massive Edmonton emergency plumbing situation that damages walls, carpet, and personal belongings. You can view oxidation on a pipe just by looking at it to see if it has changed colors or is starting to flake apart. Typically replacing the oxidized pipes involves cutting away with the damaged area with a torch and soldering a new piece into place. Sometimes oxidation simply happens over time but it’s still important to identify the root cause to make sure it isn’t some sort of other sinister problem.
Toilet Issues
Perhaps the most used aspect of your home’s plumbing is the toilet. Clogs and blockage can not only cause an Edmonton emergency plumbing call that is incredibly messy and disgusting, it can flood and ruin the room below the bathroom as well. While there are a lot of DIY fixes that can be done to get a toilet running at an optimum level, they still require a keen eye to discover early. Also, many of the toilet repairs aren’t specifically to prevent damage, they’re to help lower your utility bills. For instance, a toilet that runs or fills past the proper level can significantly raise your end of the month water bill. Externally a toilet can develop cracks that could be damning or leaks around the bolts that could get worse over time. Make sure to open up the back tank of your toilet from time to time just to get a glimpse if everything is seemingly working as it should be.
Water Heater Issues
One of the most potential dangers in your home that would serve much more than an Edmonton emergency plumbing visit is in your water heater. It’s rare but the pressure fueled tank can essentially become a missile in your home if not inspected regularly. You’ll want to check out the pressure release valve on the top or side of the water heater to make sure it appears in working condition. On top of that check the actual tank itself to make sure there isn’t any corrosion happening near the bottom or that the top connections aren’t oxidized and rusting. You should actually flush your water heater once a year so that grime doesn’t build up, restricting your water flow.
Dripping Faucets
Most people wouldn’t constitute a slowly dripping faucet as an emergency plumbing issue…until they get their water bill for that month that is. Depending on how big the drip is you could be wasting gallons and gallons of water per month and when you don’t fix that multiply it over the course of a year, or five years! The good thing, if there is one, about dripping faucets is that they’re a relatively easy fix and usually deal more with the actual unit instead of signifying pipe problems. Faucets have a small rubber washer that cracks or gets worn out and needs to be replaced. Sometimes an entirely new faucet is a better option and even though it represents an upfront cost, the money saved on water bills can quickly be recouped.
Wall Damage
Part of your home plumbing inspection should be checking the walls where you might not normally look or touch to notice any signs of moisture or sponginess. If the walls are wet, it could be a sign of internal leaking that is not only costing you money but could be contributing to adverse health effects as well. You see leaks cause moisture which will attract mold and mildew and thus pollute your home with allergens that affect breathing and lung health. The mold spreads and will eventually cause itchy eyes and sinuses and eat away at the studs in your walls. A wet wall might not seem like an Edmonton emergency plumbing cause for alarm but when an allergic visitor starts having trouble breathing in your home the situation escalates very quickly.
Once you’ve perfected the home inspection rundown to help prevent a call for emergency plumbing, it’s a good idea to put this practice in play in other parts of your home. It only takes a few minutes to make sure all the wires and outlets are working in your home, to ensure the roof shingles, siding, and other fixtures are in place and to assess any cracks in your foundation. Heed the words of Mr. Franklin to save yourself some cash in the long run.