We don’t often give a second thought to plumbing (except when something breaks), but it is actually one of the most important technologies for modern life. Plumbing enables us to have constant access to clean, potable water for drinking and bathing, which is a pretty amazing thing that most people throughout history would never dream of having as part of their daily lives. Plumbing (and regular plumbing maintenance) is an important factor in maintaining the health, safety, and sustainability of your home on a day-to-day basis. Here’s why plumbing matters and how it protects you and your home.
Keep Bacteria Contained
Leaky pipes can mean disease-carrying bacteria from bathroom fixtures spreading around your home and causing health issues. Well maintained, secure pipes will prevent bacteria from contaminating your home and mitigate the potential health risks that come with the spread of bacteria.
Reduce Waste
A small leak under a sink can mean a big waste of water. Even if a minor leak is not causing damage to your home, it is still using a significant amount of unnecessary water. This is wasteful and costly since you have to pay for the amount of water you use! Prevent extra water costs and do the environment a favour by getting leaks dealt with right away.
More and more plumbing technologies are being invented with the environment in mind. Consider installing low-flow fixtures, pipes made from recycled materials, solar hot water tanks, and other green plumbing solutions to help decrease environmental impact.
Mold Prevention
Leaks can cause mildew and mold, which are serious health risks that can cause respiratory issues and life-threatening illness. Well-maintained plumbing in the home ensures that you don’t have excess moisture that can cause harmful mold to grow.
Avoid Structural Damage
Preventing and immediately fixing water leaks keeps your home safe from worse damage. Water leakage can cause wood to rot, which has the potential to negatively affect the structural soundness of a building and can be extremely time-consuming and costly to repair. Keeping an eye on your pipes for minor leaks and fixing them right away will save you a bundle of money and time in the future.
Ensure Non-Hazardous Materials
Up until quite recently, the hazards of lead contamination were not widely known and the vast majority of plumbing was done with lead pipes and solder. Some faucets and valves made of brass can also contain smaller amounts of lead. If you have an older home, you may still have potentially harmful lead materials in your plumbing system. A qualified plumber can inspect your pipes, valves, and faucets, tell you if you are in danger of lead contamination, and, if necessary, replace your old fixtures with new ones made of safe materials.