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Your Home Plumbing System

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Melbourne Plumber

One of the most frequently used but least understood systems in a home is the plumbing system. While it’s easy to learn about and understand, knowing about it can also save you money in the long run. Piping in a home consists of many pipes which are necessary to supply, distribute, or drain water to or from various fixtures and appliances in the home. When they are working properly, it saves money. Issues such as leaky faucets or old, inefficient water heaters can cause a higher water bill, while a higher electricity bill from heating the water too frequently can cost a lot of money as well.

Water starts at a general location in the home and branches out from there, traveling to the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and outside. There is a fresh water supply which transports the fresh water throughout the home and a waste water drainage system which carries waste water from the shower, toilets, and appliances to a sewer line or septic tank. The plumbing system is typically behind a wall and under the floor, so when clogs or leaks occur behind walls and under the floor it can cause a lot of damage. Qualified licensed plumbers can easily find any problems and fix them quickly.

Your Plumbing System – What You Need to Know

It’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t do with your plumbing system. Some areas have a high mineral content which can cause a crusting on the pipes, making the water slow down. If this is the case, a water softener may be needed. It’s also very important to know if you have a sewer line or a septic system. Septic systems are much more finicky about what you can put down them. For instance, most plumbers would recommend not throwing down any hygiene products or thick toilet paper down the toilet.

Another important thing to understand is how your water heater works. If you have one that is adequately sized for the number of people living in your home, it should work fine. However, if your tank is a smaller capacity it may be working overtime, causing a rise in the electricity bill due to it trying to keep up with demand. Although not always as energy efficient, a tankless water heater is a good option, especially for larger families since hot water is available on demand.

It’s also good to have a licensed master plumber on your phone list to help with any problems you may have. Although plumbers aren’t needed often, there’s no substitution one when you need one. They can help with any burst pipes, clogged drains, and clogged sinks quickly and efficiently.