Protect one of your largest investments?
Your home is probably the biggest investment you'll ever make. But here's a little-known secret:
Behind the walls and under the floors, there are hidden plumbing problems slowly eating away at your wallet and endangering your home. In fact, according to recent data, approximately 14,000 people each day are faced with water damage in the United States.
And the worst part?
Most of this damage could have been prevented if simple maintenance had been performed.
In this article:
- Why preventative plumbing is important
- Essential preventative maintenance tasks
- Advanced maintenance measures
- Your preventative plumbing maintenance schedule
Why Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Is Essential
It's not just the drama of the burst pipe that gets you.
It's the knowledge that you are going to have to pay thousands of dollars to repair the extensive damage done by a simple plumbing issue. The average water damage insurance claim is $13,954, but that's just the insurance reimbursement.
Add in the disruption to your life, the stress of dealing with the insurance company, the health issues caused by mold and water damage…
That's not even the real cost.
What people miss is that every day your home is quietly aging, including the plumbing system inside it. In fact, the average age of homes in the United States is now 42 years old. So if you have an older home, the chances are good that your pipes and fixtures are getting tired and struggling to meet your daily water usage needs.
That's why preventative maintenance is so important. Working with a trusted local plumber for regular preventative plumbing services means you can head off small problems before they become major and very expensive emergencies. It's insurance for your home that actually stops problems from happening instead of just paying for them after the fact.
The statistics support this approach as well…
Household leaks waste almost 10,000 gallons of water per year. That's not just water that goes straight down the drain in terms of your utility bill and potential damage you can't see behind walls and under floors.
The Most Important Plumbing Maintenance Tasks
Let's go over the tasks that actually matter.
I promise they are simple and take very little of your time, but they can literally save you thousands in future repair costs.
Monthly Leak Check
This is both the easiest and most important task on the list.
Once a month, walk through your home and look for signs of dripping faucets, wet spots under sinks, moisture around toilets, discoloration on ceilings or walls, and pooling water near appliances.
Small drips add up to over 3,000 gallons wasted each year. But worse than the water, if you're not discovering these leaks early, they're doing unseen damage behind your walls and under floors.
Semi-Annual Water Heater Inspection
Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home.
Yet, most people completely ignore it until the day it fails. With a little preventative care, you can extend its life and avoid a cold shower emergency.
Inspect it for rust or corrosion on the tank, water pooling around the base, flush the tank to remove sediment, test the pressure relief valve, and if necessary, check the anode rod every few years.
Tip: Tankless water heaters are 8% to 34% more energy efficient than traditional tank heaters. If your old tank is on its last legs, consider switching.
Regular Drain Cleaning
Slow drains are more than just an inconvenience, they're a sign that something is amiss.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners (they can harm your pipes). Instead, use drain strainers to catch hair and debris, flush drains with hot water weekly, clean out sink stoppers monthly, and get a professional drain cleaning each year.
These simple steps keep buildup from turning into complete blockages that require emergency plumbing service calls.
Annual Sump Pump Testing
If you have a basement, your sump pump is your first line of defense against flooding.
And here's an alarming stat for you… 98% of basements will eventually experience some type of water damage in their lifetime.
Don't let yours be one of them due to a failed sump pump.
Test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit. The pump should turn on automatically and pump the water out. If it doesn't, get it fixed before the next storm.
Check Water Pressure
Your water pressure may be high enough to cause damage to pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
The ideal water pressure is between 40-60 PSI. A simple pressure gauge can be purchased from any hardware store. Test it yourself by screwing it on to an outside faucet.
If your pressure is regularly above 80 PSI, you should install a pressure regulator. It's a small investment to prevent potential catastrophic damage to your entire plumbing system.
Advanced Plumbing Preventative Measures
Wanna go all out on protecting your plumbing?
These investments are more of a commitment up front, but they can prevent major damage and costs in the future.
Leak Detection Systems
Smart home technology has made leak detection a breeze.
Newer systems monitor water flow 24/7, instantly alert you when unusual water usage is detected, automatically shut off water supply in the case of a major leak, and notify you via your smartphone.
Water damage is one of those statistics that affects thousands of people every day. Having the technology available to monitor your home provides an extra layer of protection — especially when you're away from home.
Upgrade Old Pipes
Older homes are beautiful and full of character, but they often come with outdated plumbing materials.
Galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside out. Polybutylene pipes are prone to sudden failure. Lead pipes are not just a plumbing issue, but a health hazard to you and your family.
Repiping is an investment, but it's far better than facing a burst pipe that floods your home while you're at work or out of town.
Water Softening
Hard water can be more than an annoyance that leaves spots on your dishes and laundry.
It also contributes to build-up inside your pipes, water heater, and appliances, shortening their lifespan and reducing performance. A water softener will not only improve the life of your entire plumbing system but also save you money on replacement costs.
Creating A Plumbing Maintenance Schedule
The key to effective preventative maintenance isn't doing it all at once…
It's creating a simple schedule that you're likely to stick with.
- Monthly: check for leaks, test faucets and toilets, listen for running water when everything is off.
- Quarterly: flush water heater, clean drain stoppers, check exposed pipes for corrosion.
- Annually: professional plumbing inspection, sump pump test before storm season, professional drain cleaning, washing machine hoses.
This schedule is the ideal balance of tasks you can space out so you're never overwhelmed, while also staying on top of issues before they become problems.
The Final Word On Protecting Your Home Investment
Preventative plumbing maintenance is about as exciting as it gets.
Nobody gets giddy at the thought of checking for leaks or flushing the water heater. But here's what it will do for you…
Preventative maintenance protects your home from the types of damage that cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. It helps keep your utility bills lower. And most importantly, it will give you peace of mind knowing that the plumbing inside your home is in good working order.
The choice is yours: spend a little time and money now or a lot of time and money later. Most homeowners will learn this lesson the hard way and by the time they realize it's best to invest in preventative measures they've already had a flooded basement or burst pipe.
Don't be one of them.