5 Ways to Safeguard Your Home’s Plumbing System

August 23, 2023

For some homeowners, it seems like they are at the mercy of their plumbing system. Leaks and strange noises arise unexpectedly and out of nowhere, leaving them scrambling for professional plumbing services. But savvy homeowners know there are steps they can take to protect and even enhance their home’s plumbing system. Here’s 5 ways to safeguard your home’s plumbing system.

1. Insulate water supply pipes

Insulating water supply pipes helps prevent freezing during the winter season. Wrapping hot water supply pipes in insulation also increases heat retention, reducing the amount of time it takes to get hot water at the faucet or showerhead. Insulating cold water supply lines prevents condensation that could lead to freezing and even bursting pipes.

2. Install leak detectors

Even if you properly maintain your home’s plumbing system and appliances, leaks can still occur at any time of day or night. A leak detector can give homeowners early notice any time there’s a leak in the sump pump, washer, or water heater, minimizing water waste and damage. Modern leak detectors can also send freeze alerts before a pipe bursts in wine cellars or unheated basements.

3. Install an anti-sweat valve on the toilet’s water supply valve

Humid summers and steamy showers can cause a toilet tank to collect condensation that could drip and create puddles on the floor. Installing an anti-sweat valve where the hot and cold lines meet will help mix hot water into the cold water line, creating a balanced temperature in the toilet tank. Homeowners can also adjust the valve to control the amount of hot water that enters the line.

4. Install water hammer arrestors

If turning off a faucet causes pipes to bang, you could end up with broken pipes and faucet components. The noise is caused by water slamming into the closed valve with all its weight and momentum. The resulting shock waves create a “hammer” sound. In these cases, a water hammer arrestor can be installed to absorb the water shock so that pipes and faucets don’t have to bear the brunt of the impact.

5. Schedule a professional plumbing inspection

Regular plumbing inspections can help identify potential issues before they turn into expensive disasters. Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter has helped many Kansas City homeowners identify and resolve simple plumbing problems that weren’t noticeable to the untrained eye.

Contact our team today to schedule your professional plumbing inspection in Kansas City.