Despite how crucial plumbing is to all residential structures, it is unfortunate that homeowners tend to overlook this system until a serious problem is on their hands. The reality is that you need to engage in routine plumbing maintenance, as this gives the professional the chance to spot any potential hazards and remedy these problems before they become an emergency. In addition to professional maintenance, the owner also has the onus to regularly monitor the different aspects of their plumbing to ensure that it is working in optimal condition. So what are some of the necessary inspections that you need to carry out for your plumbing system?

Inspect your water heater

The first thing to do would be to check your water heater for any signs of leakage. The water heater is responsible for a significant amount of energy consumption in your home. Therefore, if a leak stays undetected for a prolonged period, it could be disastrous for your pocket as well as the efficiency of your home. Some of the symptoms of a leak from your water heater would include puddles of water close to the heater, damp walls, corrosion of the heater and more.

Inspect your piping insulation

Another often-neglected aspect of plumbing is the insulation used to keep the pipes in working order. However, if the insulation has been compromised, your plumbing will become at risk of developing burst or frozen pipes. If there are any exposed pipes, it would be best to check the condition of the insulation on a fairly regular basis. Insulation inspections are especially important when the colder months are coming around, as the drop in temperatures will increase the risk of your piping freezing over. If you are unable to access the pipes on your own, you should hire a plumber to do this for you and possible replace any insulation that is past its shelf life.

Inspect the residence's drainage patterns

One of the sure signs that you have a potential plumbing problem is if you start to experience slow drainage in your home. If you notice slow drainage in just one of your sinks, then you could probably remedy the problem with a plunger. However, if slow drainage has pervaded your entire home, there is likely a severe blockage that is preventing your plumbing from working as it should be. It would be prudent to hire professional plumbing services post haste before the blockage leads to a burst pipe.