If you are a homeowner, you will most likely have the number of an emergency plumber somewhere on your smartphone which would be used whenever a problem arises, and with very expensive emergency call out charges, it is far wiser to have your plumbing inspected regularly. This is very much a preventative measure, and for those who think that it isn’t important, here are a few of the issues an early discovery can help with.
- Leaking Faucets – That age old saying, “A stitch in time saves nine” could not be more appropriate, and any small leak in your water pipeline system will not magically fix itself, rather it will gradually become worse, and dampness will appear. You should check every month for leaking taps, and replace any that are showing signs of wear and tear. If you would like to fix it yourself, there are various plumbing supplies in the UK available at Trading Depot, and at trade prices, you really can’t go wrong.
- Blocked Drains – It might typically start with a small blockage that doesn’t really affect the water flow, yet more and more foreign objects will attach themselves to the growing obstacle and eventually, you will suffer a total blockage. This can cause major damage to the structure, with plaster and timber affected, and this is why it is a good idea to run hot water in all the sinks which will help to unblock any partial blockages before they become an issue. If you like some help with this, there is a beginner’s guide to unblocking drains online which is full of useful information.
- Minimal Repairs – There will be the odd washer or burst pipe, but with regular inspections, anything that looks a little jaded can be instantly replaced, and that will avoid more expensive repairs at a later date. If you know anything about plumbing, you can carry out any repair work yourself, and with online suppliers of all things plumbing, you can save considerably on the repairs.
- Undetected Leaks – It isn’t always apparent that you have a water leak, as it might be underground outside the home, and over time, this can really cost you a lot of money as your water bill will be unusually high. If you have noticed your water usage creeping up, this could well be the cause, and one way to tell is to turn off all the faucets in the house, then check the meter – which should be stationary. Wait for 15 minutes, then check again, and if the second reading is higher than the first, then you have an undetected leak.
More and more homeowners are getting their wrenches out and tackling plumbing issues themselves, and with online suppliers of all the equipment, and online tutorials to help you, fixing your plumbing problems has never been easier. If you make a point of inspecting the entire system every month or so, this will go a long way towards ensuring that everything works as it should.