Would you be willing to invest thirty minutes of your time each month to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars? It sounds like such a crazy question to ask. Who would ever say no? But that is all you need to do to eliminate some very upsetting and costly plumbing issues in your home. A single small water leak can cause thousands of dollars in water damage and even promote the growth of toxic black mold in your home. But with a simple visual inspection once each month, the potential problem could be eliminated. The following four tips will show you how to eliminate some of the most costly damage that could ever occur in your home. And all it takes is about thirty minutes each month.
Look For Leaks
We all walk through our homes daily, but we are not paying attention to what is around us. Looking for leaks is an easy task. But you need to know what to look for and focus on the task at hand. Check all of the exposed water and drain lines for moisture or signs of a leak. These indications include bulging flooring or drywall, stains on walls, ceilings, or floors, damp carpet, or even an odd musty odor. If you locate any of these signs of a leak, call a plumber immediately.
Inspect Appliances
Dishwashers and washing machines both use plastic or rubber hoses that can begin to wear out and crack. When these hoses fail or even start to drip behind the appliance, the potential for costly water damage and mold infestation increase very rapidly. Check the connections from the spigots to the hoses and from the hoses to the appliances regularly for drips. To test the condition of the hoses, squeeze them gently to check the flexibility. When they feel stiff or very rigid, invest a few dollars in replacements to prevent a costly flood.
Take A Close Look At Your Water Heater
Carefully look for any signs of moisture around your water heater. It could be a slow drip from a drain valve or pressure relief valve or a leak in the piping around the unit. Any of these are simple for a licensed plumber to repair, and they will prevent some costly damage to your home. Also, examine the water heater for signs of water dripping down the exterior of the holding tank. If left unrepaired, these tiny droplets of water will eventually damage the finish on the tank and allow it to rust. Once the tank starts to rust, the only safe solution is a replacement.
Make Proactivity Pay Off
Investing the time to check these plumbing fixtures and appliances is only the first step. The second step is following through to have any issues corrected as soon as possible. Minor plumbing problems are easy and cost-effective to repair. But they never remain small. In no time, a tiny drip or leak can turn into a flood of water that ruins walls, floors, and your belongings. And in many cases, you will also be dealing with mold and mildew growth that can cause severe health issues and complications for you and your loved ones.
When you discover a plumbing issue in your home or have a question, call (701) 402-6442. The licensed plumbers at Total Care Plumbing are here to assist you 24/7 with any plumbing-related emergency. And for a minor issue that you find when inspecting your home’s plumbing system, we offer extended hours in the evening and on weekends to take the stress out of scheduling a repair appointment.
