Even modern plumbing systems can become damaged at any time, and seemingly minor problems could quickly become expensive catastrophes. Here is a quick glimpse at a few of the most common plumbing threats that homeowners run into and simple steps that you can take to deal with them.
Hard Water
If your home's water is hard, then you might find yourself struggling with quite a few plumbing problems over the years. Hard water is going to reduce the lifespan of your appliances, clog pipes, and damage faucets. Investing in a high-quality water softener for your home is the best way to deal with hard water, and those devices often last for decades when they are properly maintained.
A Clogged Sewage Line
Clogged sewage lines are incredibly common, and they can result in overwhelming problems if they aren't unclogged right away. The most common signs of a clogged sewage line include multiple slow drains throughout the home, dying grass, and a lingering sewage smell. To get rid of a clog that deep in the system, you will need to contact an experienced plumbing contractor who has access to specialty tools that can tunnel their way through your plumbing system.
Slow Leaks
This is one issue that almost every family will have to deal with at least a few times over the years. A slow leak usually doesn't seem like a major problem, but losing a few drops of water every minute could end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water per year. When slow leaks are caught early on, they can often be fixed with some basic tools and supplies. For a quicker leak or a leak that is difficult to access, you must work with a professional plumber.
An Unmaintained Water Heater
Many homeowners don't realize that their water heaters need regular maintenance, and an unmaintained water heater can cause major damage to a plumbing system. In addition to visually inspecting the water heater a few times a year, it will also need to be flushed once every few months. Luckily, flushing a water heater is a relatively simple task that requires nothing more than a basic garden hose and a few minutes of your time.
Taking care of minor plumbing issues can usually be done by a homeowner as long as they are careful, but serious damage should always be left to professional contractors. Improperly fixing any type of plumbing problem could quickly result in a massive amount of water damage.
Author Bio:
Meghan Belnap / Blogger, Researcher and Freelance Writer
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.