If you are a homeowner, you should expect to experience plumbing problems on occasion. What some people do not realise is that their plumbing system will start to exhibit symptoms of trouble brewing long before it starts to malfunction. Therefore, it is recommended for all homeowners to know how to identify changes in the inner workings of their plumbing so they can have a professional attend to the problem before it becomes worse. Here is a brief checklist of the routine inspections to carry out to prevent plumbing emergencies.
Inspect your pipes
One of the places that plumbing problems usually go undetected is the piping system. Homeowners tend to be oblivious to their pipes because they are usually hidden, so when leaks happen, they often go undetected until severe water damage occurs. Granted, accessing pipes hidden behind walls may be difficult, but this does not mean you cannot tell if something is off. If your piping system has been compromised, chances are there will be watermarks on your walls. Exposed pipes, on the other hand, may show signs of cracking and rusting. If your residence is old, you may want to consider replacing your metal pipes with PVC, which will be immune to corrosion.
Inspect your toilets
Aside from damaged pipes, another problem homeowners have to deal with from time to time is the toilet. Since the toilet is used on a daily basis, it is likely to acquire damage over time. Spotting these damages is essential so that you are not dealing with a broken-down toilet in your home. The first inspection to carry out would be examining the internal components inside the cistern. Signs of rusting or loosening should be addressed, as this indicates the components may stop being functional. The second thing to check would be the stability of the toilet itself. If the toilet is rocking, no matter how minor this movement it, it means there is the risk of leaks occurring. You would be best advised to call a plumber to come and secure the toilet for you.
Inspect your sinks' drain rates
Blockages in plumbing are usually detected once the water completely refuses to drain down the sink. Nonetheless, these blockages do not happen overnight. The earliest sign that there could be a clog in your system is when water starts to drain slower than usual. You may also find that this slow drain rate is accompanied by foul smells in the various drains in your home. Have a plumber inspect your pipes to locate the clog and get rid of it before it gets the chance expand.
