Is Plumbing Maintenance Important?

Did you know a badly leaking toilet can waste over 750 litres of water per day? Or that a leaking tap that leaks one drop per second will go through 12,000 litres in a year? You could be wasting much water, energy – and money – if your plumbing isn’t functioning properly.

Murphy’s Law states whatever can go wrong will go wrong. This applies to plumbing issues just as much as to anything else. With preventative plumbing services, you can greatly extend the life of your plumbing and fixtures and address a range of significant problems. It can also save you energy and money, as well as protect your family from harm.

From drain cleaning to proper food waste disposal and everything in between, let’s explore the importance of regular plumbing maintenance and how it ultimately benefits you.

Save Energy, Water and Money!

It seems counterintuitive to spend money on plumbing maintenance services to save money in the future. This can very much be the case though. A well-maintained plumbing system is efficient and only uses the energy that is required to get the job done. An electric hot water system with a faulty part might use up more electricity than a properly maintained system. Likewise, a gas system might use more gas.

If your water pressure is too high thanks to a broken pressure limiting valve, or you’ve got a few leaking taps and shower heads, you’ll run through your water supply at an alarming rate. Not only will you be hurting the environment with your excessive water use, but you’ll also hurt your wallet with the extra money you’ll have to pay on your next water bill.

The money you saved for not maintaining your plumbing might end up going towards your energy and water bills instead!

Prevent Entire Plumbing System Replacements

When you leave plumbing problems unattended, they put a strain on your fixtures and pipes. Leave them unattended for an extended period, and this strain can cause significant damage to your entire plumbing and drainage system. If the damage is severe enough, replacing the damaged parts might cost you more than replacing the entire system.

While more cost-effective, having your existing plumbing system completely removed and replaced with a new one will be a longer and more disruptive process for your home. Having a plumber out for routine plumbing maintenance means they can avoid costly repairs and have a greater chance of detecting the early signs of these problems. This way you only need specific parts of the system repaired or replaced.

Maintain Water Purity

When you neglect the maintenance of a storage hot water system, you put your family at risk of drinking rusty water. Storage tanks contain anodes that sacrificially rust and oxidise before the tank itself. Once the anode is rusted over, your tank starts to rust. This rust transfers to your fresh water supply, leading you to potentially shower in or drink rusty water well before you even realise it.

Rusty water is largely an aesthetic and taste problem and doesn’t pose a health risk. Unless you know where the rust in your water has come from though, it’s best not to drink it in case there are other harmful contaminants too. However, the best reason not to drink it is the taste.

Having a professional plumber out to maintain your plumbing can allow them to detect early signs of rusty water. They can also find the cause, whether it’s rusted pipes or another issue, and fix it before it becomes a problem for your water usage.

Air Quality

How preventing leaks in your plumbing affects your air quality is not immediately obvious but is something to consider. Leaking pipes that cause direct water leakage in your home creates a moist environment that allows mould and mildew to thrive. Breathe these mould spores in and they can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, skin and more. This can be especially bad for asthmatics.

Plumbing maintenance can help you stay on top of leaks which can lead to this and help keep your air quality at a healthy standard.

Prevent Disasters, Costly Repairs and Emergencies

Often we find that ignoring minor plumbing problems can quickly escalate into more disastrous messes or plumbing emergencies. Being able to identify potential issues early on and addressing them just as quickly is the best way to prevent plumbing disasters and costly repairs.

Burst pipes and blocked drains can flood your home with dirty water, leading to significant property damage. They can also cause unsightly mould growth and mildew that can lead to health problems. Several things can cause burst pipes. These can include excessive toilet paper in the sewer line, or disposing of food waste down the sink instead of the rubbish bin. However, your plumber can catch most of these during routine maintenance before your pipes rupture.

Keep Your Gas Appliances in Good Shape

Most homes have at least one gas appliance. Left unmaintained, these can become ticking time bombs. If the pressure relief valve of your gas water heater is malfunctioning, or the temperature is set too high, heat and pressure can build up in the tank. Left unattended, this water heater could explode and cause serious damage to your home and family.

Regular maintenance could also pick up on small gas leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that can be a silent killer if it builds up enough. Early detection is key to preventing your family from experiencing carbon monoxide-induced symptoms including headaches and nausea.

Avoid At-Home Plumbing Maintenance Fails

One of our most significant plumbing maintenance tips is to call the professionals to address any major problems. You may think attempting DIY plumbing maintenance and repairs will ultimately help you save money. However, many common plumbing issues require the expertise and know-how of an experienced and licensed plumber. Trying them yourself could result in otherwise avoidable costly repairs.

It’s also worth noting that:

• It is illegal to install and renovate (and in some cases maintain) your home’s plumbing!
• DIY plumbing can void your insurance and warranty
• You can’t sell a home that doesn’t meet plumbing standards

As it happens, you’re less likely to know current Australian plumbing standards unless you are a licensed plumber.

Call Metropolitan For Regular Plumbing Maintenance

At Metropolitan Plumbing, we want your home’s plumbing system to last as long as possible at peak efficiency. We offer plumbing maintenance services with quality workmanship that will extend the life of your plumbing system. Services that will protect your family and home from the potential side effects of bad plumbing.

Apply these practical plumbing maintenance tips in and around your home now, and you can address the problem before it becomes a disaster later. Contact Metropolitan Plumbing for all your plumbing needs today!