Whether your water runs perfectly or you have the proverbial leaky faucet, there are a couple key things every homeowner should know about their plumbing. These key pieces of knowledge can help prevent costly emergencies and damage to your home, basement and yard.
1. Your plumbing is often not covered by your homeowners Insurance policy.
With all of the costs that go into maintaining your home, it’s easy to put something off with the idea that it will be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. However, many homeowner policies do not cover plumbing issues and water damage caused by a neglected pipe issue.
Water service line emergencies can run in the $1500+ range, and other issues, if not dealt with immediately, will not only cost you anywhere from $250-$3000, but can cause other types of damage like black mold, water stains and water rot in your home.
It’s not worth the risk of putting off small repairs when they can save you upwards of a thousand dollars per incident.
2. Do you know where your main water shutoff Valve is?
Water spewing from a burst or broken plumbing pipe can flood your house with dozens of gallons of water within minutes. Not only does this create a complete mess, but can cause additional damage to your home as well.
Take a couple minutes to find out where your main water shutoff valve is in your home, and make sure everyone knows where it is. Make it a game if you have kids old enough to handle the responsibility. A little penetrating oil will make sure it works when you need it.
3. How Old Are Your Pipes?
Did you know that the average age of a broken water main in the U.S. is 47 years old? Though most water mains are the responsibility of municipalities, the same timeline exists for household pipes. Most pipes in US households were installed shortly after World War II and are in serious need of replacement or repair. A 2010 report from the National Association of Water Companies stated that nearly half the pipes in the U.S. are in poor shape.
Knowing the age of your pipes will give you forewarning of when repairs or replacement may be necessary, avoiding an expensive emergency and reducing the overall cost of the repair.
Take charge of your plumbing today! Talk to one of our experts at DRC plumbing about preventative maintenance. We offer free estimates and will tell you whether something is worth fixing or not.