Are your pipes running A-Okay?

One of the benefits of calling a plumber for an annual leak detection is that the homeowner can save a great deal of money in the long run. Though some leaks are obvious, like a pipe that bursts beneath the kitchen sink, others are harder to find by a layperson. One example would be a slab leak. This is when the pipes begin to leak in the foundation of the house itself. A homeowner might suspect a slab leak if he or she hears running water when none of the faucets are on, if they have an inexplicable spike in their water bill or there are wet spots or hot spots in the basement or the crawlspace. A plumber, on the other hand, has equipment that can detect a slab leak as well as the equipment and skill to fix it. Granted, repairing a slab leak can be expensive, but it’s always best to fix it early.

Other leaks that might not be detectable by a layperson can be in the walls, floors or ceilings. An annual inspection is best done in the spring in places where the winters are cold. An inspection scheduled then will catch any pipes that have sprung a leak due to the freeze-thaw cycle. It’s a good idea to do the inspections during the Spring even in places where the winters are fairly mild. Pipes have been known to burst even when the temperature only drops to about 50 degrees or so.

A homeowner might want to set up a maintenance agreement with a plumbing contractor. The homeowner will pay a monthly fee and the plumber will come on a yearly or twice yearly schedule to check the plumbing and perform troubleshooting. The homeowner also gets a discount on repairs and is given priority in case of emergencies. The plumber of course, needs to be licensed, insured, professional and be up to date on any building codes in the area.

An annual leak detection service is essential to make sure your plumbing is up to date, call Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. at (630) 577-9241 so that we may help you with all your plumbing needs.