A professional plumbing audit is a comprehensive assessment of the home's plumbing system, including the water fixtures, appliances, and piping system. You should carry out a plumbing audit every few years to identify potential issues and areas for improvement to boost the performance of the system. Below are three benefits of evaluating the health of your home's plumbing system.
Improve the System's Efficiency
An in-depth plumbing audit can reveal areas where your plumbing system is wasting energy and water. The plumber will inspect your water heating system to evaluate its efficiency and output. If your water heater is inefficient because of old age, corrosion, or worn components, it is probably consuming more energy, which in turn increases your annual household bills. You should repair or upgrade your hot water system to boost output and lower energy consumption.
A plumbing assessment can also reveal fixtures that are wasting water due to leaks or high flow rates. For example, high-flow faucets and showerheads deliver a large volume of water at a time, leading to increased consumption and a high water bill. Your plumber may recommend low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads to conserve water and lower utility bills. The audit will also reveal leaking and worn fixtures that require repairs to prevent water wastage.
Improve Water Quality
The quality of water in your household depends on the source of the water supply, the condition of your plumbing system, and the existing water treatment process. Hard water can damage pipes and appliances and increase your water heater's energy consumption. Poor-quality water may contain contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals that can pose serious health risks in your household.
If your water is contaminated with minerals, sediment, bacteria, or chemicals, you should install a whole-house filtration system. Water filters remove these contaminants and purify the water, making it safe for household consumption. Filtered water also improves the efficiency of hot water systems and extends the lifespan of plumbing fixtures.
Prevent Structural Damage
Plumbing pipes are usually installed out of sight in wall cavities, under slabs, and in crawl spaces. Therefore, if leaks occur, they can go undetected for a long time, which increases the risk of structural damage to a home. Plumbing leaks can damage concrete slabs, encourage mold growth, and cause moisture damage to walls, ceilings, and floorboards.
Frequent plumbing audits can reveal worn pipes, pipe joints, and valves along the plumbing system. The plumber will use advanced leak detection systems to inspect the pipes and fittings without tearing up walls and flooring. If your pipes are worn or have minor leaks, you can repair them early to avert costly structural damage.
A plumbing audit allows you to carry out necessary plumbing repairs and upgrades to improve the system's performance and avoid plumbing emergencies. Contact a professional plumber for an in-depth assessment of your home's plumbing system.
Contact a plumbing service such as Countryside to find out more.