Don’t you hate it when you forget all about your home plumbing until…
…it starts causing serious problems.
Trust me.
Homeowners everywhere can relate to those words. Dealing with broken plumbing is never fun. It’s also expensive.
But what if you didn’t have to?
What if you could prevent most plumbing problems before they even start?
You can. And here’s how:
Let’s talk home plumbing repairs and replacement.
(The qualified plumber you want on speed dial when things go wrong.)
Everything You’ll Learn About Home Plumbing:
- Why you shouldn’t ignore home plumbing repairs
- Most common home plumbing repairs
- When to repair, and when to replace
- Smartest home plumbing replacement options
- How to find the best plumber for your home
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Home Plumbing Repairs
If there’s one thing homeowners should know about plumbing…
Pipe maintenance doesn’t fix itself.
Think about it:
That little drip under the sink turns into a flood.
The slow draining bathtub turns into a full clog.
Small problems become big expenses.
Recent studies show that roughly 10 percent of American households have experienced a plumbing issue each year. Millions of Americans every year.
And don’t even get me started on wasted water while you wait for repairs.
A leaky faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s the equivalent of losing 180 shower hours down the drain.
But it’s not just wasted water you have to worry about.
Leaky pipes, ruptures, and water damage are all expensive to deal with later on.
In fact, the average water damage insurance claim sits at $11,098.
Imagine how many showers that could pay for.
Remember…
Plumbing problems are small at first. But they always get worse over time.
Don’t wait until you’ve got leaky bathrooms, damaged walls, and mold growing in every closet.
Take care of those repairs now.
Most Common Home Plumbing Repairs
A trusted plumber Woodbridge VA homeowners rely on will probably encounter these home repairs again and again.
Drips, leaks, worn out piping – these are the kinds of problems we see most when helping homeowners with maintenance.
Here are the most common repairs:
- Dripping faucets: They’re small but costly. Drips may start out small, but that ignored faucet is wasting thousands of gallons of water every year.
- Running toilets: One of the most common residential plumbing problems. Toilets that run constantly waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
- Clogged drains: Hair, oils, overflows. Slow drains are a pain, and they usually come from buildup that comes from daily use.
- Leaking pipes: Sometimes out in the open, sometimes hidden away under floors or inside walls. But these leaks can destroy foundations and flood cabinets before you even know they exist.
- Low water pressure: Low water pressure can stem from a variety of problems. Whatever the cause may be, low pressure is never a good sign.
- Water heater complaints: Rusty water, banging sounds, or water that’s never hot enough. Water heaters will show their wear and tear eventually.
If your plumbing relates to any of the above issues, you’re not alone.
There’s good news though. These repairs aren’t difficult for a trained professional. Call a qualified plumber you trust and save yourself the aggravation.
Knowing the most common plumbing repairs is half the battle. Knowing WHEN to call for these repairs is the rest.
When To Repair vs. Replace
Homeowners don’t like to hear this.
But eventually, everything needs replacing.
Taps wear out. Sooner or later, toilets need upgrading. And pipes aren’t waterproof for all eternity.
Here’s the tough part. Figuring out when to call for repairs vs. replacements.
Ask yourself these questions when preparing to contact local plumber:
- Is the problem isolated, or has it caused secondary damage?
- How old is the fixture or system in question? What’s its expected lifespan?
- How much will repairs cost compared to replacement?
If the issue is isolated, relatively new, and won’t cost more than half of what brand-new fixtures would cost – you’re probably safe going the repair route.
Just remember…
The average plumbing infrastructure in most American homes is OVER 40 YEARS OLD.
Repair vs. replacement is always going to lean toward replacement as soon as that faucet hits two decades of use.
Sinks, showers, pipes. Even the water heater. They’re all wearing down with every year they’re put off being replaced.
Don’t wait until you’re homeowners are lined with faulty plumbing. Use your head and plan for these replacements years in advance.
Top Home Plumbing Replacement Options
Alright – now comes the fun part.
Adding value to your home and reducing water bills doesn’t get much easier.
Here are some upgrades every homeowner should know:
Tankless water heaters
On-demand water heaters allow homeowners to enjoy hot water… without keeping gallons and gallons heated at all times. Long lasting and efficient, this is one upgrade that pays for itself.
Low-flow fixtures
Old faucets and showerheads are often large waste contributors. Make the switch to low-flow and start saving on water bills instantly.
PEX piping
Galvanized piping and copper piping is old hardware. If your home has not been updated to flexible PEX piping, now might be the time.
Dual-flush toilets
Toilets are one of the largest home water consumers. Swap out that old toilet for a newer model that gives you options on every flush.
Smart leak detection
Prevention is the best medicine, right? Smart home leak detection allows homeowners to literally check for leaks with an app on their phone. These devices monitor your home pipes 24/7 and send immediate notifications if something goes wrong.
These recommendations come from years of repairing older hardware. Devices and systems like these allow homeowners everywhere to save on water/electric bills and avoid large repair costs in the future.
How To Find The Right Plumber For Your Home
Knowledge is power.
Knowing what repairs need doing and when you should be looking at replacements is just the first step.
The second? Finding a qualified plumber.
Here are a few qualifiers every homeowner should look for when trying to find trustworthy local plumbing services:
- Licenses and insurance: Hardworking tradespeople. Always double-check that a business you’re hiring is licensed and insured.
- Residential experience: Commercial plumbers fix sinks too… but they don’t specialize in homes like your local guys do.
- Straightforward pricing: Get estimates upfront. If someone isn’t willing to provide accurate pricing beforehand, they’re probably hiding fees in the fine print.
- Strong local reputation: Trust online reviews as much as I do. Instead, look for what locals near you have to say about their services.
- Available when you need them: Your pipes aren’t on a 9-5 schedule. Find a plumber who provides emergency service.
Trust is earned, but not by the lowest bidder.
If a plumber comes highly recommended but costs a few dollars more per hour – hire them. You’ll thank yourself down the line when your toilet gets fixed properly the first time.
Before You Close The Toolbox
Time to get dirty.
Plumbing problems aren’t uncommon, but they don’t have to drain your wallet either.
Keep your home in mind next time you’re searching for that cheap bottled water. Your future self will thank you for every drop you decide to keep in your pipes instead.
You now have the knowledge to deal with repairs and replacements like a PRO.
Remember what you’ve learned here and start saving on that next water bill.
