Plumbing Basics for Homeowners
Problems with the plumbing in the home never fix themselves. While homeowners may feel they want to bury their heads in the sand when a plumbing problem arises, the thing that will help them, in the long run, is knowledge about their home’s plumbing.
Instead of ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away, homeowners should learn about the plumbing in their homes. As kids return to school to continue their education, homeowners can continue theirs right here! This quick guide from local plumbers is the perfect introduction to home plumbing.
The Journey of Water in a Home
Water has a long journey before it comes out of the tap. Most water comes from a reservoir where it's treated to make it safe. Then it’s piped many miles to the city, where it flows through supply lines. All of this freshwater infrastructure comes at a cost, so cities bill for water and sewer treatment. They do this by installing water meters at every home and business that use their water.
From the water meter, water flows through one pipe into the home. This pipe splits into smaller lines; one serves as the cold water supply for all of the home's fixtures, and the other goes into the water heater and distributes hot water all over the house.
Once water is used, it has to be removed. Letting used water sit around is dangerous, especially when exposed to human waste. That’s why sewers are a necessity in any civilization. Every drain in the home is tied to a single sewer line that efficiently flushes waste back to city sewer pipes or a septic system for treatment.
Recognizable Plumbing Fixtures
One concern of homeowners is always cost. Keeping costs low can be a delicate dance to get through every month, dodging high water bills. Investing in efficient plumbing fixtures is a good way to ensure water costs stay low. A couple of good places to start saving money are:
- Water-saving faucets
- Energy-efficient water heaters and appliances
- Low-flow showerheads
- Dual flush toilets
Each of these is a powerful step toward utility bill reduction alone, but having multiple will drastically increase the savings. Homeowners should take every opportunity to reduce needless plumbing expenditures by installing reliable and efficient fixtures when it’s time for an upgrade.
Plumbing Maintenance Strategies
Another thing that homeowners can do to ensure reliable plumbing and lower utility bills is schedule plumbing maintenance and inspections with a professional. Some of the tasks that a plumber will do during maintenance are:
- Preventive drain cleaning
- Inspecting for damage and corrosion
- Check for leaks
- Drain and flush the water heater
- Check anode rod and replace if needed
- Test incoming water pressure
Maybe the biggest benefit of plumbing maintenance is catching problems before they get out of hand. Early detection of the issues keeps them from getting worse and saves on repair costs. Maintenance also extends the life of the plumbing, preventing the need for premature replacements.
About Sheely Plumbing Inc.
Sheely Plumbing Inc. is a family-owned and operated company serving Alto, MI, and the surrounding areas for over a decade. They provide flat rate pricing, same or next-day service, and on-time arrival. Call them today for plumbing services in Alto, MI.
