Master Rooter

The history of plumbing can be traced back to around 3500 BCE, to the Indus River Valley Civilization. Later, it was the ancient Egyptians that developed the first copper pipes.

Since then, we’ve come a long way, and plumbing remains a critically important part of our homes. We rely on it daily, so many homeowners panic when it doesn’t work. The issues that cause emergencies often stem from a lack of plumbing maintenance.

If you’re still not convinced that regular plumbing care matters, keep reading. We cover seven key benefits of keeping up with routine upkeep.

1. Lower Water Bills

Neglecting regular plumbing maintenance means you’ll often miss problems, especially issues like leaks. If you think a leaky faucet is no big deal, think again.

Using a drip calculator, you can see that even a single dripping faucet in the home wastes almost 35 gallons of water a year. More than one leaky faucet can contribute to a hundred or more gallons per year.

Leaks and drips raise your water bills.

It’s estimated that 10% of homes have a leak, contributing to around 10,000 gallons of wasted water per year. These issues are usually due to faucets or faulty toilet flappers, which are easy to fix.

2. Reduce Energy and Water Usage for the Planet

Water waste is bad for your water bills, but it’s also bad for the planet. In addition to leaky faucets, inefficient plumbing wastes more water than necessary.

Plus, it takes a lot of energy to heat your water for showers, dishes, etc. Electric water heaters account for one-fourth of a home’s total electric bills.

Regular maintenance will uncover old or inefficient plumbing or fixtures that you can update to save water and money. It will cost you more upfront but save more in the long term. More efficient, water-saving fixtures ensure you only use what you need, reducing energy usage.

3. Improved Water Pressure

If you’ve ever jumped in the shower only to feel frustrated at the low water pressure, you should know this is also commonly due to plumbing issues.

Leaks often contribute to water pressure problems. Other causes include a faulty pressure regulator, corrosion, and debris in the pipes, all of which you can identify with routine plumbing maintenance.

Calling a residential plumbing company to inspect and care for the pipes on a routine basis will keep these problems at bay.

4. Prevent Emergencies

Routine maintenance prevents major emergencies down the line. Ignoring issues can result in costly home repairs. For instance, neglecting a leaky pipe can cause water damage.

Not only does this mean you’ll need to spend more on repairs, but damp and dark spaces are the perfect place for mold and mildew. Mold exposure can cause health issues, especially if anyone in your family has allergies or asthma.

Common examples of plumbing emergencies include a burst pipe, shut-off valve failure, broken sump pump, and sewer backup. Emergencies caused by issues like damaged pipes are easily preventable as long as you regularly maintain your plumbing system.

Even a simple clog can be prevented with preventive habits and drain cleaning. In fact, it’s better to schedule occasional drain cleaning as using harsh chemicals to break up a clog can damage your home’s plumbing.

5. Improve the Lifespan of Your Plumbing

It’s common sense that keeping up with maintenance will help extend the lifespan of your products and investments. And yet, many homeowners tend to neglect it.

Your home is your greatest investment, so you must maintain it if you want to keep it in good shape. That includes caring for the parts of your home you don’t always see, such as the plumbing system. People tend to forget about the pipes hidden in their walls until there’s a problem; by then, it’s often too late.

We rely on our plumbing to get ready each day, keep our homes clean, and provide us with clean water. You want those pipes to last as long as possible, which means you have to keep up with regular care.

6. Save Money on Costly Repairs

The cost of plumbing repairs varies greatly depending on the severity of the problem. In general, a plumbing job can cost anywhere from $100 to $500. However, burst pipes can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

A simple leaky faucet or pipe might cost between $50 to $200 or so to repair. However, water damage repair costs anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

Emergency services cost far more than simple upkeep and repairs throughout the year. The sooner you address an issue, the less you’ll spend.

7. Keep a Healthy Home

We all want a clean and healthy home, but plumbing issues can cause all sorts of foul odors, contaminated water, unhealthy air quality, and more.

A sewage smell in the home isn’t only unpleasant, it’s embarrassing and may be a sign of a blockage in the sewer line. A plumber can inspect the sewer line using a camera and clean or repair the line as necessary. Calling for plumbing solutions should have your pipes clear in no time and give you a better-smelling home.

Cloudy water is an indicator of sediment. However, a bigger issue than sediment is water contaminated with lead from the pipes. Lead can cause significant health effects, especially in children. Replacing old pipes and installing filters can help keep a home healthy.

Plumbing issues even affect the air quality. If ignored, damp areas in the house can lead to mildew and mold growth. Mold can cause minor issues such as itchy eyes and sneezing, but it may also cause difficulty breathing and allergic reactions.

Regular upkeep of the plumbing can prevent these issues.

In Need of Plumbing Maintenance?

As you can see, there are many benefits of keeping up with regular plumbing maintenance. It’s good for your wallet, the planet, and your family’s health.

Take time to maintain your system, and you won’t have to deal with bigger problems down the road. If you’re looking for plumbing options in Boise and the surrounding areas, you can rely on our team at Master Plumbing. We offer everything from drain cleaning to 24-hour emergency services.

Contact us to schedule a service today.