There are any number of reasons you may need a plumber. Most people only call a licensed plumber when something in their house breaks or is leaking, and they need an emergency repair. Some people call plumbers when they are renovating their kitchen or bathroom or if they are doing a renovation that will impact the plumbing somewhere in their house. There are many reasons people are interesting in finding a plumber.
However, many people don?t call for the most important reason. Not waiting until something breaks to call a plumber can save an immeasurable amount of frustration as well as money. Waiting until you need a plumbing repair done is stressful and costly. The best time to find a licensed plumber is before you need them. Understanding the age and expected lifespan of your pipes and equipment will allow you to estimate when you should start having them inspected.
A traditional water heater tank should last 10 to 13 years. If you know your water heater is around nine years old, it is smart to schedule a routine maintenance and inspection. That way, the plumber can let you know the condition of your water heater and whether or not you should start considering a new one. Even if you wait until it does stop working, at least, you?ll have some warning that the end is near.
A tankless water heater should last up to 20 years. They have longer lifespans, and they lower heating costs because they are not always running to maintain the temperature of the water in the tank. If it is time to replace your traditional tank water heater, you may consider replacing it with a tankless heater. In addition to lasting longer and saving you money on a monthly basis, they are overall more efficient.
Scheduling regular maintenance appointments will allow a plumber to check the condition of your plumbing pipes. Cross-linked polyethylene or PEX is used in plumber pipes and fixtures in approximately 60% of homes. Did you know that a one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spray out 250 gallons of water a day? Think about how much water would be lost if a pipe broke in your home while you were at work. All day, water would be flowing into your house costing you money and damaging your belongings.
People also tend not to call plumbers when they have just a small leak. It could be a toilet that occasionally runs or a faucet that drips. People tend to view these as minor annoyances and not worth the money to call in a licensed plumber. However, average household leaks can add up to over 10,000 gallons of water a year. That is roughly the amount of water needed to complete 270 loads of laundry. That is a lot of water and money being wasted. Simply fixing a household water leak can save you up to 10% on your monthly water bill.
While not all breakdowns and broken pipes can be anticipated, many can. Getting advice from a professional plumber can allow you to avoid plumbing problems and the need for costly plumbing repairs. Plumbing services aren?t just intended for emergencies. Fixtures and water heaters can break down without warning. However, being proactive and getting plumbing inspections done on a routine basis can prevent many of those plumbing emergencies.