How Tuned In Are You With Your Home’s Plumbing System?
When it comes to caring for the systems that make our lives easier, regular maintenance is essential. Most people, for example, know that oil changes and other minor tune-ups are an important part of keeping their car running. But when was the last time you “tuned up” your plumbing? While it’s not something that’s typically at the front of many homeowners’ minds, regular plumbing check-ups can help you avoid surprises and protect one of the most important systems in your home!
Annual plumbing tune-ups are a simple way to stay ahead of any curveballs regarding your plumbing. Here’s what you should know about regular plumbing upkeep.
Why Occasional Plumbing Inspections Matter
Your plumbing is one of those behind-the-scenes workhorses that adds so much value to your home. It’s not until something isn’t working that homeowners are faced with just how much they use it. From cooking and doing laundry to showering and washing your hands, your plumbing is key to convenience in your home!
Annual plumbing inspections with a professional plumber like Save Home Heat Company are the best way to get ahead of problems before they become a major issue. It gives your trusted plumber an opportunity to check exposed pipes, drains, gas lines, shutoff valves, and more, to make sure that there are no signs of leaks, excessive wear, rust, or other indicators that there could be a problem on the horizon. The goal is to catch issues before you need a repair, so there’s less interruption to your daily life.
One of the key features of your plumbing system that our team at Save Home Heat Company always checks during our visits is the PRV (pressure-reducing valve). The PRV adjusts pressure as it enters your home to protect fixtures, valves, and appliances from being damaged by high water pressure. However, it has a limited lifespan and can become misaligned over time. A plumbing inspection helps catch water pressure issues before they cause damage.
What Does a Whole-Home Plumbing Inspection Include?
A whole-home plumbing inspection performed by one of our plumbers at Save Home Heat Company starts with a visual inspection of accessible plumbing (both inside and outside). This includes (but is not limited to) inspecting shut-off valves and hose bibs, as well as evaluating fixtures like faucets, toilets, and tubs for proper function.
We’ll then proceed to inspect the drain venting and water-using appliances, such as your water heater, furnace, and/or boiler. We also inspect the expansion tank to confirm it’s functioning as it should, and we take a look at the PRV to ensure that it’s working properly, as well.
With so many features of your home dependent on your home’s plumbing, it’s a priority for us to check all the plumbing features throughout your home. We evaluate toilets and make sure they’re flushing properly, as well as inspect sinks, drains, laundry hookups, sump pumps, and appliance lines.
Thoroughness is our priority here. Unlike a typical home inspection, which covers many systems broadly and looks at top-level functionality, an annual plumbing inspection gives your trusted plumber an opportunity to look at the fine details and ensure all the parts are working well and you’re getting the most out of your system.
The Role of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in Home Plumbing
The PRV is a small but mighty feature, and when it’s working right, it provides you with several benefits. It’s designed to reduce the water pressure as the water from the city enters your home. Since it takes a much higher pressure to transport the water throughout the city than it does to move it throughout your home, it’s important to reduce the amount to prevent damage to your home’s fixtures and appliances.
In addition to increasing the lifespan of your water-using appliances, the PRV can extend the lifespan of your entire plumbing system and even help reduce your water bill. With that said, a new home or remodel is not required to have a PRV if the water pressure measures under 80 pounds per square inch (psi). However, many homes can still benefit from a PRV being installed to capitalize on these benefits.
During your annual plumbing inspection, your plumber will check to see if you have a PRV installed, and if you do, they’ll make sure it’s doing it’s job. If not, they’ll check the water pressure and let you know if it’s a feature that may benefit your plumbing system. Either way, we’re never going to try and blindly sell you on something. Our goal at Save Home Heat Company is to provide friendly, professional guidance based on your individual needs as a homeowner.
Special Offer: $49.99 Inspection and What It Covers
Our team provides complete, whole-home plumbing inspection services (at normal service rates), and periodically, we run $49.99 plumbing inspection specials which focus on specific, high priority items. The limited-time $49.99 plumbing inspection includes:
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- Inspect water heater (water, gas, venting)
- Check whole-house water pressure and PRV
- Inspect faucets/showers/sinks/toilets
- Inspect plumbing under sinks, laundry hookups
- Note the condition of water softeners and filters
- Check for a sump pump, etc.
If you are located in the Denver/Boulder area and are interested in a plumbing inspection, please give our team a call to ask if the $49.99 limited-time plumbing inspection special is available. We’re happy to answer any questions you have!
Denver, Boulder, and Loveland Homeowners: Stay Tuned In to Your Home’s Plumbing
Annual plumbing inspections are no small thing — but they are simple. Staying on top of regular check-ups for your home’s plumbing can make a world of difference in reducing the risk of surprise repairs and protecting the lifespan of your home’s plumbing overall.
