The Benefits of Annual Plumbing Inspections
Despite being one of the most important parts of a house, most people don’t give much thought to their plumbing systems until something suddenly doesn’t work as it should. The fact that your plumbing system is so important means you should always take steps to protect it, and the best way to do so is by having it professionally inspected every year. In this article, we’ll look at why an annual plumbing inspection is so important and discuss the various benefits that it can provide.
Fewer Plumbing Issues and Reduced Repair Needs
One of the main reasons that it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your plumbing system annually is that it reduces the chances of various issues arising. That includes things like leaky pipes, clogged drains, and sewage backups. An experienced plumber will easily be able to tell if any part of your plumbing system is at risk of developing any issues. That means you can get the problem taken care of before it turns into something more serious and you end up having to pay for a much costlier repair. For instance, if your home’s water pressure is too high, it can greatly increase the chances of your pipes developing a small leak or even breaking and causing a major flood. In this situation, a plumber can install a pressure-reducing valve or repair or replace the existing valve so your water pressure always remains where it should be.
Having a plumber perform a camera inspection on your entire drain and sewer system is also extremely helpful. That’s because the camera allows them to see inside your drain pipes and sewer line to check for things like fat buildup, obstructions, and cracks. They’ll also make sure tree roots aren’t growing inside of your sewer line, which is a common issue that can lead to your sewer constantly backing up. Even worse, roots can cause a sewer line to collapse, in which case you’re usually looking at spending a few thousand dollars to dig up and replace the line.
If your home has a sump pump, it’s also extremely important that you have a plumber inspect and test it regularly. A sump pump is the main line of defense for preventing a home’s basement or crawl space from potential flooding. The only issue is that sump pumps are prone to suddenly failing or not working as effectively as they should. With an annual inspection, you can help ensure your sump pump continues working effectively and also know if it’s at risk of failing and should be replaced.
Longer Lifespan for Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances
All of your pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances will also typically last longer if you have your plumbing inspected regularly. Common issues like hard water or high water pressure often result in appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine developing a leak and not lasting as long as they should. Regular inspections and maintenance are especially important for reducing the chances of your water heater leaking and helping to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
One critical task if you have a tank water heater is having a plumber inspect its anode rod at least once a year. The purpose of the anode rod is to slow down the rate at which the water heater tank corrodes. The way it works is that the rod has a metal coating that all of the minerals in the water react with. That means the minerals corrode and eat away at this coating instead of reacting and corroding the tank. The issue is that the coating eventually gets completely eaten away, at which point the minerals then start reacting with the steel tank. Anode rods typically only last for around five years. However, there are situations where the coating on the rod can get almost completely eaten away in just two to three years. That’s why it’s important that it gets inspected every year since your water heater will be much more likely to start leaking if you don’t replace the anode rod regularly.
Lower Water Bills
Annual inspections can also help to keep your water bills lower by preventing and eliminating issues like leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets. According to the EPA, approximately 10% of homes have some type of leak or similar issue that wastes 90 or more gallons of water per day. By having a plumber identify and fix any issues like a worn-out toilet flapper or faucet valve, you can potentially save some fairly serious money. You’ll also be doing your part to help the environment by reducing waste and lowering your household’s water consumption.
For more than 65 years, BELOMAN has been the company that home and business owners in Belleville, IL and the surrounding areas have turned to for all of their plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. We offer expert repair, maintenance, and installation services and can help ensure all of your most important systems work exactly as they should. If you want to ensure your plumbing is free of any issues and enjoy all of the benefits we’ve just discussed, contact us today to schedule a plumbing inspection.
