Article Submitted by: Steve Taub, President of Aztec Plumbing.
When it comes to your plumbing, you might be inclined to follow the old adage "leave well enough alone", but there are things that you might want to consider. Technology has actually come a long way when it comes to such things as your pipes, your sewer system, your water heating and even faucets and toilets. Even if you're not ready to upgrade, it's not a bad idea to keep up with what’s available so that when it is time to start you'll know what you want.
Why Upgrade? There can be several reasons why you'd want to upgrade your plumbing. The most common reasons are because your pipes are getting old and you're afraid that problems are going to start cropping up if they haven’t already. Maybe it’s time to take advantage of new money-saving technology or possibly its peace of mind you’re after. Additionally, the home you are currently in or thinking about purchasing may need a quick upgrade to the plumbing fixtures to bring it more in line with today’s style. It can be difficult to justify the expense of upgrading if everything is working well, but you could actually save money in the long run. Some things to consider are "whole house water filtration" as a permanent way to keep your water safe for drinking, and "green plumbing" appliances, such as an energy-efficient water heater. Low-consumption toilets and faucets are another great way to save money and protect our environment.
Getting the Work Done: When you're ready to upgrade, you want to make sure that you hire a professional who is current on the latest technology and installation and repair practices. If you already have a plumber that you trust, ask him for suggestions on how you should upgrade. If you don't have anyone regular that you use, do some research on the internet. Ask a friend or local business if they can refer someone who can help you. Be sure they are a licensed, bonded, and insured company that warrants their work.
Maintenance: Once you upgrade your plumbing, you want to make sure that you take good care of it so that it will last you for many years. Ask whoever does your upgrading for advice on maintenance. They should be happy to offer suggestions. If everything is new, you might want to schedule inspections or maintenance visits once every one or two years. Some service companies offer annual home inspections and will give you a report on their findings. That should be often enough to keep things running smoothly.