There are a variety of plumbing problems that can arise. Some of these may be due to a lack of regular maintenance and repairs. Others, however, may result from inclement weather conditions. In some instances, it may just be time for an upgrade.
Water Heaters
The average water heater, for example, usually has a ten to 13-year lifespan. When properly maintained and insulated, these systems should function throughout their warranty. Experts recommend that water heaters should be flushed out one or more times a year. This will prevent sediment build-up, which can reduce the amount of available hot water and create other issues.
Since roughly 25% of a home’s energy usage is for heating water, it may be time to consider having an energy-efficient water heater installation. The new tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan than the typical water heater. When tankless water heaters are also properly maintained and repaired when necessary, they can last as long as 20 years. These are just two of the reasons why having a new water heater installation may be recommended.
Drainage Systems
Bathroom, kitchen, and other household drainage systems can become clogged. If this occurs on a monthly basis or more regularly, then it is likely time to contact a professional plumber. In general, experts recommend that a home’s drains should be tested and cleaned every two years. In some households, this may be required more frequently.
On an annual basis, there are roughly 36,000 sewer overflows that occur within the United States. Nearly half of these are due to fat and oil building up in kitchen drains. Given this situation, some homeowners may need to have their sewer system cleaned, repaired, or replaced.
Household Leaks
A considerable amount of water is wasted every year due to easily-fixed household leaks. Leaky faucets and running toilets are just two typical types of leaks that are usually easy to fix. If a faucet drips twice every minute, for example, this can waste more than one gallon of water over the course of a week. Recent surveys show that about ten percent of American households are wasting 90 gallons or more of water every day. When these leaks are taken care of, it can potentially reduce a household’s water bills by ten percent.
Plumbing Services
If your home has any of the plumbing problems mentioned above, it makes sense to schedule an appointment with a contractor at your earliest convenience. In order to prevent these and other issues from occurring, it’s also important to schedule routine maintenance inspections. At these times, your contractor will be able to determine if any additional repairs or upgrades are needed.
When you have an older water heater, for instance, your contractor will likely recommend a new water heater installation. If you have any questions about the benefits of energy-efficient water heaters, your contractor will be able to explain these. Furthermore, you may also be interested in upgrading your home’s appliances and heating and cooling systems to energy-efficient models.