Plumbing emergencies in the home do not usually arise out of nowhere. In most situations, they occur due to failure on the part of homeowners to give the right maintenance attention to their plumbing installations. Preventative maintenance of plumbing systems is geared towards ensuring that plumbing issues are identified and remedied before they can become full-blown. It is a proactive strategy of dealing with plumbing problems, which will eventually occur at some point. 

Here's a rundown of some important items you should include in your list of things to do under your preventative residential plumbing maintenance program.

Checking for leaks

Speaking on residential plumbing systems, two types of leaks can occur—water leaks and gas leaks. Water leaks take place when water supply pipes and water faucets installed in various parts of the home develop holes or spaces that allow water to drip. If the leaks are ignored long enough, they can increase monthly or annual water bills considerably. Therefore, a crucial part of preventative maintenance is to check for areas where water is leaking. A good place to focus the inspection is where there are joints or connections. 

Gas leaks, on the other hand, happen when gas used to operate gas stoves, gas cookers, gas furnaces, and other gas-powered appliances escapes from the gas supply lines or the appliances themselves. A preventative maintenance routine to check for gas leaks would involve inspecting the entire length of the gas supply lines for wear and tear that may cause leaking. It may also involve checking for any loose valves, nozzles or connections that may allow gas to escape from an appliance. 

Checking for physical damage

The process of wear and tear for all plumbing components start to become worn immediately after installation. Therefore, it is important to periodically inspect plumbing lines and appliances for general wear and tear, so as to keep tabs on when repairs or parts replacement will be required. 

Metal pipes and water faucets, for example, may start to corrode due to water leaks. If these plumbing components are not inspected for visual damage early enough, the corrosion may continue until the affected parts are damaged beyond repair, thus calling for costly replacement. 

By routinely conducting visual checks, you will be able to detect such physical damage before they can exacerbate. This way, you will be able to get reliable service from your plumbing system and even extend its lifespan.

The best way to look after your residential plumbing system is to enlist services such as P1 Plumbing & Electrical.