Plumbing issues can seem to pop up with little to no warning, but in reality, most major plumbing problems start out small and take a while to develop. The problem is that many homeowners don’t know how to recognize common signs of a damaged or failing system, so they don’t take preventative steps before serious problems arise.
Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on your own limited observational skills to make sure you identify problems with your pipes before they cause damage to your home. Professional plumbers can inspect your system and use diagnostic tools to locate potential problems before they get worse.
Benefits of Regular Diagnostics
Whether you live in a newly built house or one built 60 years ago, regular plumbing diagnostics are essential for keeping everything running (and flushing) smoothly. Depending on your area of concern, your plumber may perform diagnostic tests using the following tools:
Leak detectors
Cameras
Infrared thermometer guns
The goal is to identify potential issues and create a plan of action to make repairs or replacements to your system as needed.
Identify Upgrade Opportunities
It’s no secret that plumbing has come a long way in the past 50 years. If you’re living in an older home that’s not performing efficiently, diagnostic services can be used to identify opportunities to upgrade your fixtures, pipes or other components of your plumbing system. Your plumber will examine your current system and let you know if he or she has any recommendations for upgrades or fixes.
It may take time and money to maintain a well-functioning plumbing system, but the efforts you put into diagnostics and maintenance now can save you a lot of frustration and money in the long run. For best results, most plumbers agree that you should have your entire system checked once every two years, or more often if you have existing problems with your pipes.