“Do we have to get a new one? Can’t you just fix it?” Two questions we hear quite often from our customers.
Our home’s water distribution system, like other areas of our home, requires routine maintenance. When plumbing fixtures are not maintained properly or failed parts are not replaced promptly it puts stress on the other parts of the system causing undue wear and tear. Our technicians are trained to recommend the most cost effective solution to your plumbing problem and offer options when possible. Often we see customers wait and wait until that possible repair turns into a necessary replacement.
Like all material objects, plumbing fixtures have a finite life span. Scheduling the replacement of moving parts with regular home owner maintenance items will extend the life of plumbing fixtures and reduce the risk the risk of failure or flooding. Water heaters need to be flushed and serviced annually as well as the home’s pressure regulating valve. Keeping a maintenance schedule will extend the life of these units by several years. Toilets, faucets, shower valves all have moving parts which allow the unit to be repaired instead of replaced if caught soon enough. Many times water, gas and sewer lines leaks can be repaired to allow time for budgeting of a replacement of deteriorating lines, but in some instances should be replaced once failures begin to occur.
One fixture many homeowners are unaware of is their home’s pressure regulating valve or PRV. This plumbing fixture is essential to the health and well being of the entire plumbing system. Excessive pressure places stress on fixtures, fittings and pipe lines. When this valve fails to regulate a safe water pressure, it will cause failures in other fixtures, such as dripping faucets, running toilets, leaking water heaters and water pipes to burst, causing thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Timely replacement of a failed PRV can resolve the symptomatic issues (running toilet for example) if caught soon enough but if left unchecked will cause irreparable damage requiring either additional repairs or replacement. Regular service and maintenance of this plumbing fixture can save you hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars in the long run.
Toilet replacement is another area we see misdiagnoses. Quite often we see retail box stores sell customers toilets in hopes a new toilet will fix their existing problem. New toilets do not fix a clogged line (water that does not go down) or a broken flange (rocking toilet) or running toilets, if their pressure is high. After the replacement of the toilet, the issue still exists and additional repairs are required. A proper diagnosis from your local plumbing contractor could save you a couple hundred dollars in any of these instances.
Water Lines
Water Lines
The water distribution system in your home is one area where repairs in the immediate situation would be recommended to allow a customer more time to budget for the more costly replacement that will eventually need to take place. Although this aspect of your plumbing has the longest life expectancy, water line pipes whether copper, plastic or galvanized, will eventually corrode, become brittle and need replacing. Once a repair has been made in this part of your plumbing system a complete evaluation by your trusted plumbing contractor should be made and a plan for budget and replacement should be put into play.
Like the water lines in your home, the sewer or drainage system also has a definitive shelf life. Settling of your home, erosion, extreme temps and tree roots will wear and damage these lines, eventually requiring replacement. If your homes drain lines go to a septic tank instead of the city sewer, additional maintenance is required. Regular septic tank pumping and adding beneficial bacteria should be part of your maintenance routine.
You can rely on My Georgia Plumber to save you money by repairing your plumbing equipment when possible and cost-effective, and replacing your plumbing equipment when it is necessary. Call us today for your no-obligation plumbing inspection (770) 592-0081.
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