Many plumbing issues can occur and make your plumbing much more expensive and problematic to clean up. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what type of problems might arise, but when something does happen to create a problem, it can be very costly to fix. Small problems can often be fixed with simple cleaning or simple repairs, but when it comes to larger plumbing issues, it can become extremely complicated to clean up and can cost thousands of dollars to repair. This is why it’s important always to have your plumbing inspected by professional plumbers for problems before the emergency strikes. Here are some common plumbing issues you might encounter and what the best way to go about fixing them is:
Backflow Testing – This is the most common type of testing and inspection of your plumbing systems. The purpose of backflow testing is to detect where any contamination comes from and then eliminate this contamination before it ever makes its way into your drinking supply. The back-flow test usually checks the temperature of running water along your pipes; if it’s too hot, then that means there is a problem somewhere in your plumbing. You might find this type of testing in several different places around your house, including under your sink, the bathtub drain, behind or under your toilets, and even your septic tank. The backflow testing device will be hooked up to your plumbing system and test the running water temperature. Sometimes the backflow testing device will detect the problem without actually hooking it up directly to your plumbing; if this happens, you should call a professional to have the backflow tested.
Pressurized Plumbing – This type of plumbing involves having a high pressure plumber fixes the pressure in your plumbing lines to ensure that you have clean, potable water all the time. This is something that needs to be done regularly, and if it doesn’t seem to need to be done regularly, then it’s probably time to call a plumber. This type of plumbing requires professional plumbing repairs on a regular basis. You will also likely have to deal with leaks and cracks in the pipes since you can’t put the pressure on them like you can with other plumbing fixtures. Any leaks or cracks in the plumbing that are located near where the pressure is applied to the pipe will need to be repaired immediately by a professional in order for you to have potable water.
Backflow Testing – When there is backflow testing done on your plumbing fixtures, it’s basically an investigation into how your drinking water is entering your house. It’s basically there to find out if where you are getting your potable water from is safe, and if there are contaminants in it that could harm you or the people in your house. It’s very important to have backflow testing done when you are having major plumbing jobs done around your house such as new washing machines or water heaters, or when you are changing old appliances or putting in a new hot water heater because otherwise, you are putting your family at risk. Also, if you are ever curious about why your water bills are always so high, then having backflow testing done might reveal exactly what is causing that.
Having a Backflow Prevention Device Installed – If your pipes are not already sealed then you should make sure you get a backflow prevention device installed before you do any plumbing work around the house. These devices are usually simple valves, and they do the job really well. They don’t eliminate all of the bacteria in your system, but they prevent the backflow of dirty water back into your faucets. This in turn makes your plumbing fixtures safer. If you don’t have a backflow prevention device installed, then your pipes are at risk every time you turn on a tap.
How Often You Should Have Your Plumbing Tested – The best time for plumbing testing is before you start using any of your sinks, tubs, toilets, showers, and anything else that takes water directly to your house. Many people only think about the main water valve, but there are actually several other pieces that need to be tested. Check to see if you have the copper piping from your hot water tank to your kitchen sink. These piping pieces can be tiny, so it’s important to check them as well. If you have the copper piping, but it needs to be replaced, you should have your plumbing tested before replacing it. It’s also a good idea to have your plumbing tested before installing new appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers.
Has New Valves Installing – Another way to save yourself a lot of money on plumbing is to ensure that you don’t install any backflow prevention assemblies or valves until all the plumbing in your house has been replaced. Many times these devices are installed during or after major construction projects. If you wait until the plumbing is already replaced, you might find that the new ones you buy cost more than those installed during your construction project. Make sure that any backflow prevention assemblies or valves you get are the same as those installed when your house was built.
Use the Right PVBS, and Waste Holders – One item that most people don’t consider, but which really helps prevent leaks in the kitchen or bathroom is a high-quality waste hold tank. The kind of hold tanks that you buy will help keep spills from happening in the first place, but you may want to consider high-quality PVBS as well. There are many different kinds of waste holding tanks that you can get, including plastic ones that won’t break or leak. You can also get commercial-grade hold tanks, which will be stronger and will last longer than regular ones. Whichever type of hold tank that you use, it’s important that it’s installed properly so that it can hold all of the liquid that your plumbing system produces. A plumber will be able to show you how to install the right kind of hold tanks for whatever type of plumbing system that you have installed.