Is Plumbing Maintenance Important? Follow Our Guide

Is plumbing maintenance important to the functionality of your home and its overall water efficiency? The short answer may be a resounding “YES!”, but do you know why?

A perfectly functional plumbing system is essential to the functionality, health and well-being of your home. It’s important to keep your drains clear, your hot water system in peak condition, and your pipes free of sediment build up and flowing freely.

Not doing so leaves you vulnerable to clogged drains, blocked pipes and cold showers in the middle of winter. Problems like these aren’t just inconvenient; they can present health risks as well if you leave them for too long.

From drain cleaning to proper food waste disposal and everything in between, let’s explore some simple plumbing maintenance tips and certain preventive measures that can ultimately benefit you and your home.

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

Did you know that you can waste (and pay for) up to 260 litres of water a day due to a running toilet? Or that a leaking tap that leaks one drop per second will go through 12,000 litres in a year? You could find yourself wasting more water and money than you’d like if your plumbing isn’t functioning properly.

You might think that spending money now on plumbing maintenance services to save money in the future is counterintuitive. But it can be a surprisingly effective measure to take. A well-maintained plumbing system is efficient and only uses the necessary energy to get the job done.

A faulty electric hot water system, for example, might use up more electricity than a properly maintained system. Same with a gas-powered water heater. And if a broken pressure limiting valve has left you with water pressure that is too high, or you’ve got a few leaking taps and shower heads, you’ll run through your water supply at an alarming rate. Water you’ll inevitably end up paying for.

By spending a little money now and calling a local plumber for routine plumbing maintenance, you’ll be able to rein in your water wastage and cut your water bills in the process!

Prevent Plumbing System Replacements

Leaving plumbing problems unattended for a little while can put a strain on your fixtures and pipes. Leave them unattended for an extended period, though, and this strain can cause significant damage to your entire plumbing and drainage system.

If the damage is severe enough, you may end up needing replacement parts at a significant cost. You may even end up needing to replace the entire system at an even greater cost.

Regularly inspecting and maintaining your plumbing systems and fixtures is the best way to prevent necessary repairs or replacements that may have otherwise been avoidable. 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.

Maintain Hot Water Purity

Neglecting storage hot water system maintenance can potentially put your family at risk of drinking rusty water. Though rusty water doesn’t necessarily pose any real health risk, the taste and aesthetic problems can be off-putting.

Hot water storage tanks contain sacrificial anodes designed to rust and oxidise before the tank itself does. 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.

The idea with the sacrificial anode is to monitor it and replace it before it has completely degraded and becomes incapable of serving its purpose. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll likely need to replace the rod every three to five years to maintain the purity of your hot water.

Plumbing Maintenance for Better Air Quality

Just how preventing leaks in your plumbing affects your air quality may not be immediately clear, but it is something to consider.

Leaking pipes that result in water leaking directly into 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. For people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory issues, this can be especially bad.

Plumbing maintenance can help you stay on top of and stop leaks and help keep your indoor air quality at a healthy standard.

Keep Your Gas Appliances in Good Shape

Most homes have at least one gas appliance, whether it’s a gas stove, heater or hot water system. 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 potentially explode and cause serious damage to your home and family. (Note that this is rare but not impossible.)

Regular maintenance can help detect small gas leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed. It can also help prevent the colourless and odourless gas carbon monoxide (CO) from building up inside your home.

Early detection is key to preventing your family from experiencing carbon monoxide-induced symptoms. They can range from headaches to nausea and dizziness, but in the worst-case scenario can also be fatal.

Prevent Plumbing 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 expensive repairs.

Blocked drains and frozen pipes that become burst pipes 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.

Burst pipes can happen in many ways. These can include:

• Excessive toilet paper in the sewer line
• Tree roots seeking moisture
• Disposing of potato peels, food waste and other debris down the sink instead of the rubbish bin

However, your plumber can catch most of these during routine maintenance before your pipes rupture.

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 that 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.

Experts in 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.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Maintenance

All your important plumbing maintenance questions answered here.