While all domestic plumbing and pipework needs a professional eye from time to time, there are plenty of ways to make sure that your home runs smoothly without much help. This is very important, particularly when it comes to water and heating utilities, as unexpected problems can be very stressful.

Fortunately, with just a little bit of regular plumbing maintenance, it is possible to avoid breakdowns and being on first name terms with your repair man. And, if you have the support of a team that you can trust, you’ll have access to the most competitive rates on the market.

This guide to basic plumbing maintenance will show you all of the things that you can do to extend the life of your heating and water systems.

Sign Up to a Plumbing Service

The easiest way to make sure that your plumber doesn’t have to come round to fix repairs, at multiple points throughout the year, is to book him in for a regular service. This works in much the same way as it would for a car. At Ignis Heating, customers can sign up to an annual service which gives their home year round protection. A plumber will inspect your pipework and boiler for signs of trouble, so that repairs can be made before a breakdown occurs. With a little bit of love and care, your plumbing is guaranteed to last for longer.

Periodically Check for Leaks

Inbetween services, homeowners are encouraged to give their faucets and pipes a quick visual inspection once every month. You can do this while cleaning and it’ll only take you a few seconds. The pervading myth about leaks is that, if they’re small, they can’t do any damage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case; even a relatively minor leak can quickly turn into extensive water damage, so don’t ignore them. Most leaks are easy to fix, so there’s no excuse not to address the problem quickly.

Drain Outdoor Pipes in winter

It is common for homeowners to forget all about external faucets and pipes, but they can cause a real problem if they freeze up during the colder months. If you have a garden hose or an irrigation system in your yard, you need to remember to drain and disconnect all pipes at the start of winter. Otherwise, leftover water trapped inside can freeze and cause the pipes to expand, which may eventually lead to cracks and leaks. You can get in touch with a reliable plumbing company if you need advice on how to do this correctly.

Weatherproof Your Home

It is also a really good idea to start weather proofing your property before the colder months arrive. This means sealing up draughts around doors, windows, and fan vents. It means checking the exterior of the property for cracks and fractures. It can also mean simple things like closing interior doors and using draught excluders, so that heat is kept inside the rooms. This will not only help your pipework to function smoothly, it will also save you money.

How to Find a Reliable Plumbing Company

When it comes to plumbers, nothing beats word of mouth feedback, because these are people that are in regular homes, every single day of the week. They chat to people, they help customers deal with crises, and they know what it takes to keep a home running smoothly. So, when you’re searching for the perfect plumbing company – be it online or in your local area – read testimonials, browse for reviews, and get a feel for its reputation.