As a new homeowner, I can tell you that things aren't always as simple as they appear. I started thinking about it a few years ago, and I realized that there were some serious problems with our plumbing system. We had issues with drains working correctly and toilets flushing like they should, so I started focusing more heavily on understanding the basics of our plumbing system. Within a few short months the entire system was operating more fluidly because of a few changes that I made, so I wanted to create a blog all about my journey. Check out these articles to learn more about the plumbing basics.
Jorge Alexander
Water damage is usually caused by phenomenon other than flooding. Plumbing problems are one of the issues that can cause costly water damage in your home. Today, there are many improvements that can be done to help protect your home from common plumbing problems and serious water damage. Your home could need insulation on exposed pipes or protection from backflow and other improvements. Here are some of the plumbing improvements that could save your home from costly water damage:
1. Protection From Heavy Rains With Backflow Prevention Devices
Heavy rains are often the cause of sewer lines backing up and homes flooding. This is due to the lack of backflow prevention devices and overburden in storm drains and sewer lines causing backflow pressure. To reduce the risk of sewer backflow flooding your home, have a plumbing contractor update your drains with backflow prevention devices.
2. Sump Pumps To Protect Lower Foundation Areas From Moisture
Low foundations are susceptible to problems with water and moisture getting inside homes. To reduce this problem, sump pump wells are installed. These are wells that have a submersible pump in them. When the water in the well gets to a certain level, the pump comes on to pump the water out to the sewer lines. The sump pumps may be required if you have a home with a basement foundation and plumbing systems that are lower than the sewer lines outside of your home.
3. Manifolds With Plastic Plumbing For Easier Maintenance And Repairs
Another modern improvement to consider to protect your home from water damage is using a manifold. The manifold has shutoffs for individual plumbing fixtures and distributes water more efficiently. This system will make your plumbing easier to maintain in an emergency and your home more efficient. In addition, plastic pipes cost less than conventional copper or PVC materials used for water lines.
4. Locating Pipes To Minimize Potential Damage And Improving Them With Insulation
Sometimes, the existing location of pipes may put your home at more of a risk when there is a leak or burst pipe. To minimize the risk of water damage, locate pipes in areas like crawl spaces and exterior walls when possible. In addition, update your pipes with insulation to protect against freeze damage and improve energy efficiency.
These are some of the plumbing improvements that could save your home from water damage and costly repairs. If your home's water lines are causing plumbing problems and damage, contact a water main repair service and talk with them about improvements like backflow prevention devices to protect your home.