One of the most important part of any home or business is its plumbing system. Keeping this system in good condition will assure a good supply of clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing and disposal of waste.

Many times a home or business owner will not give plumbing appliances a second thought unless something, such as a flooding toilet or overflowing dishwasher, goes wrong. This will usually require a plumber and an expensive plumbing bill. One way to avoid this problem is to check plumbing appliances on a regular basis to make sure they are operating correctly.

The term “plumbing appliances” refers to plumbing fixtures that perform under a certain control setting that involves motors, heating elements or temperature-sensing components. Some of the items that fall under this category are water heaters, heat pumps, HVAC units, ventilation units, dishwashers, humidifiers, washing machines, dryers, water filters, showers and refrigerators.

Keeping a close eye on these units will help you not only save money on plumbing bills but help you avoid the inconvenience of not having hot water, proper air, a working washer or dryer or other things that make life more comfortable. It is much less expensive to notice and correct problems before they become a major issue and require a complete replacement.

A good water heater should maintain a steady supply of hot water to all faucets in the building. Check your water heater. If there is rust or it is not producing the amount of hot water needed, it may need to be replaced. Heaters have come a long way in the past few years and are much more effective than older ones. Your plumber will be able to make an examination and explain your options.

Having a plumber examine all components of your water system and make suggestions will save you money. For example, it has been proven that a flow restrictor in a showerhead can reduce water consumption as much as 50 to 60 percent. This can add up to a large savings in a water bill over a year’s time.

Older buildings are especially susceptible to failing plumbing systems. A drop in water temperature, mold, dripping faucets, running toilets, a dishwasher that does not get dishes clean or a leaking refrigerator are all indications that it is time to call a plumber. Taking care of these problems early will prevent costly repair problems later on.

Professionals say that commercial buildings that have mechanical systems involving the heating or cooling of water, steam pressure, climate control and other such items should be personally checked on a daily basis and inspected by a plumber every two or three years. This will help avoid repairs or replacements, which can be very expensive.

Extreme climates will often affect a residential or a business building’s water system. If you are located in such an area, observation of things such as water stains, mold, rust or other irregularities will make it easy to contact a plumber and avoid replacing the entire system.

By keeping an eye on your plumbing and calling a plumber when something is obviously wrong, you will be able to keep your water intake and outtake running smoothly and avoid a long and inconvenient period of no water at all.

Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.