For many, the thought of a plumbing problem in their home is akin to finding out they need a root canal. In both cases, the pain and expense can seem overwhelming. But, just like with your teeth, early detection and preventative techniques can go a long way toward preserving your pipes.
Symptoms
According to Veronica David of M Minici Bathroom Remodeling in New York City , there are a few ways to tell if you are having plumbing problems, including, growling and whistling noises in the pipes, loud bangs, and moisture collecting beneath radiators.
“Some of the symptoms are screechy pipes, low water pressure, frequent clogs, drains gurgle etc,” she says.
But, if you’re trying to determine if you have a problem, Dominick Gatto, Plumbing Field Supervisor for Sinks-N-Sumps Plumbing Service in Chicago, Illinois, recommends monitoring not just the noises coming from the pipes, but the stuff that flows out of them, too.
“Low water pressure or slow drains are symptoms of bad piping,” he says.
Prevention
While the ability to recognize a plumbing problem early can help prevent further damage, preventing the problem entirely may not only be possible, but, according to David, quite simple. She recommends a few simple steps to keep your pipes healthy.
“Pour baking soda in the drain every 6 months to clean the grease from pipes,” she says. “Do a routine check of washers, valves, and pour hot water and vinegar down the drain to keep it clean.”
David also recommends installation of mesh screen to prevent hair clogs and insulation to prevent freezing. She also encourages homeowners to call a plumber once per year for inspection of all plumbing.
Preventative measures may go a long way toward preserving the health of your home’s pipes. But if you determine that a plumbing problem might already be lurking behind your walls, you might want to call in a professional. According to David, there are a few things you should check to ensure you are getting a qualified professional.
“Customers should ask about insurance, state license, and if the proposed work will need permits,” David says. “A quick way to check a plumber’s quality of work is to contact the Better Business Bureau.”
David also says a customer should ask the plumber about his service guarantees.
PEX Plumbing
When interviewing a prospective plumber, you may also want to ask him about PEX plumbing. PEX is piping made of crosslinked polyethylene. It has some advantages over copper and iron piping, including a higher resistance to chlorine, corrosion and it is easier to install than metal or inflexible plastic pipes.
According to David, PEX plumbing is most useful for expellant for new construction and for rehab of old houses.
“PEX is flexible, resistant to scale and chlorine, doesn’t corrode, faster to install, with fewer connections and fittings,” she says.
However, according to Gatto, PEX does have it’s drawbacks.
“PEX is easy to install,” he says, “but more susceptible to damage from puncture and heat after it is in place.”
Doing-It-Yourself
Many people contemplate opting for a do-it-yourself approach to fix their plumbing problems in an effort to avoid the expense of hiring a professional.
But, according to David, these days a professional plumber can be surprisingly affordable. She says plumbing has changed a lot due to new technology.
“In the past, copper,iron and lead have been used as primary components in piping,” she says. “However these metals have gone up in value, and so has the manufacturing cost, and then as the field advanced PVC, CPVC and ABS came about.”
David says the new materials that have been developed have made plumbing cheaper and more efficient.
If you do, however, decide to tackle a plumbing project yourself, David warns that you might come to regret it.
“Dangers of do-it-yourself plumbing include damage to your property (flooding,etc) or even worse injury; falling off a ladder, or cuts from knives and saws,” she says.
David also warns that drain cleaning chemicals can sometimes damage piping and could be hazardous to health.
Gatto agrees, saying his company frequently has to replace drain pipe because the customer had been using chemical drain openers.
“Chemical drain openers damage metal piping, and are seldom effective as a long term solution to slow running drains,” Gatto says. “When drains start to run slow, your best long term solution is to rod the drain piping with a flexible cable.”
Still, if you are a die hard do-it-yourselfer, Gatto offers some encouragement.
“Plumbing is not rocket science,” he says. “If you have tools, time, patience, determination, are well organized, and possess a good mechanical aptitude, you can do many residential plumbing jobs. If you lack one of those you are likely to have a difficult and frustrating time.”
Atlanta Plumbers | Boston Plumbers | Charlotte Plumbers | Chicago Plumbers | Dallas Plumbers | Los Angeles Plumbers | Miami Plumbers | Minneapolis Plumbers | New York Plumbers | Philadelphia Plumbers | Phoenix Plumbers | San Francisco Plumbers | Seattle Plumbers | Washington, DC Plumbers | See More Cities
