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Unless you have a pricey artifact or extremely rare collectible item then most homeowners will not have any object worth more than their home, albeit their land perhaps.  Sure, most homeowners do have insurance for natural disasters such as fires, extreme storm damage, and floods.  Most homeowners will also have insurance for their vehicles and perhaps a few expensive electronics in the home. But, how many homeowners invest in preventative maintenance?

When we get the oil changed in our vehicle, if we get full service, then auto technicians will check out the vehicle, run diagnostics and see if there is anything out of the ordinary going on with the vehicle. We do this because the last thing we want is to be broke down on the side of the road or have an accident that could have otherwise been prevented had preventative care been done.

The same can apply to many things in the home. Yet, most homeowners do not participate in preventative maintenance, or worse put it off when there are problems in the home, such as the plumbing.  It just tends to be one of those things that most people don’t pay attention too until something happens.

For the most part, the majority of plumbing problems around the home will be minor. Chances are a good bit of homeowners may never experience catastrophic plumbing problems in their entire lives. But, you could.  You could have an underground water leak at this very moment, eating away at the foundation of your home. You may not even realize it until it is too late and you will be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in repairs to not only fix the home’s plumbing but to fix the foundation also. With a preventative maintenance plan, catastrophic problems like this can get be significantly reduced. If you would like to learn more then get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and one of our professional Plumbers in Fort Worth, Texas will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and concerns.

Insurance, specifically Flood Insurance

You might be thinking that you are covered by flood insurance if there are any disastrous situations that arise with your home’s plumbing. That’s probably a big resounding no, you are not.  Most flood insurance will not cover damages from the plumbing in a home. Homeowners are usually responsible for the plumbing that runs through their homes and most insurance policies will not cover the repair costs. This will leave your biggest investment without insurance. Below we go over a few tips that can assist you in protecting your home from possible plumbing issues.

1. The Age of Your Home’s Plumbing

The United States Chamber of Commerce states that nearly half of all pipes in the country are in poor shape. The Environmental Protection Agency states that the average age for a broken water main in the country is 47 years.  With that in mind, knowing the age of your home’s plumbing pipes will help you in assessing the need for replacement.

2. Trees near the Water Service Line

The roots from trees will follow wherever the water is. If there are trees near the water service line this will mean that the roots will grow towards the service line until they reach it, infiltrate it, and leave you with a leaking water line.  Do not plant trees near the service line or if you already have trees near the service line you may wish to speak to a landscaper about what needs to be done.

3. Poor Soil Conditions

Poor soil conditions such as low soil resistivity and high levels of chloride can cause plumbing to corrode from the outside leading to leaks as well as contamination. Sandy soils are among the leas corrosive and clay soils are among the most corrosive. Corrosive soil will start affecting your pipes almost immediately.

4. Have you ignored the warning signs?

It is the small things sometimes homeowners usually overlook that may be a much larger problem than at first thought.  Grease and scum build up in kitchen pipes, or even a stammering faucet can be an indication that a water pipe is leaking and a stopped up toilet or sink can be a sign that the sewer line is clogged.  Taking precautions on some of these problems and it can save you big later down the road if you are proactive and have it taken care of immediately.

5. Extreme temperature changes in your area

Almost all homeowners in Texas have experienced extreme temperature swings at some point.  Water lines are susceptible to breaks during these times. A 10 degree difference in temperature can and will cause an increase in stress on your water and service lines.  Pipes can become brittle when the water temperatures get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Do you know what your pipes are made from?

If your pipes are more than 50 years old there’s a pretty good chance they were made from clay, steel or tile material which are prone to deterioration.  Corrosion is ranked the second-highest reason for water main pipe failures.  If your home was built before the 1980s, then it is most likely that your pipes will need repair or replacement.

About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX has professional plumbers in Fort Worth, Texas servicing Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Our experienced, courteous and friendly plumbers provide on time plumbing related services to not only Arlington but surrounding areas also. If you are in need of a professional plumber that you can count on for plumbing repairs, maintenance and / or installation then you can count on us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas.

Ben Franklin Plumbing is a leader in the field for plumbing related repairs. We are also one of the most trusted plumbing service brands in the industry with high standards of service that you can rely on. When you contact us you can rest assured knowing that you are receiving the best plumbers in Fort Worth, Texas.  Our commitment to service and excellence is reflected in our stone solid A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you have a plumbing related problem in your home or business and you need help, do not hesitate to contact us today. Our professional, courteous and friendly plumbers in Fort Worth, Texas will be more than happy to assist you and answer any of your questions and schedule an appointment with you to assess the plumbing related problem and resolve it at your earliest convenience. Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas a call today if you are looking for professional plumbers in Fort Worth, Texas. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay^®