Plumbing is a system of pipes and fixtures that distributes potable water, and removes waste. It is a basic and necessary part of any developed economy.

A plumber specializes in installing, repairing and maintaining piping systems and plumbing fixtures. They also understand building regulations and safety standards.

Drain Cleaning

Drain cleaning is an essential plumbing service that is used to remove clogs and other build-up. This can help prevent odors from developing in your home, water contamination and other issues.

Most homeowners have dealt with a clogged drain at some point. While plunging and bottled drain cleaners are effective at unclogging surface-level clogs, more serious problems require professional drain cleaning services to restore your pipes.

When a plumber cleans your drains, they’ll use tools like drain snakes and specialized chemicals to break up the blockage and remove it. They also often use high-pressure water to clear the pipes.

The most common drain cleaning chemical is lye, which helps dissolve organic waste. Other solutions include acid drain cleaners and oxidizing drain cleaners, which eat away at clogs using heat or by forcing electrons out of organic matter.

Leak Detection

Plumbing leaks can cause serious problems, ranging from water damage and mold growth to structural risks and heavy repair bills. Many home and business owners prefer to avoid these issues by detecting sneaky leaks before they happen.

A plumbing company can help you find leaks through annual inspections, which are a great way to prevent problems. These services include a thorough evaluation of the plumbing system, and suggestions for repairs that can extend the life of your pipes.

Plumbers can also use video pipe inspection tools that fit into pipes of all sizes and relay footage back to a monitor for a detailed visual inspection. This allows them to pinpoint the source of a leak and fix it quickly.

A leak detection system is a device that monitors the flow of water through a pipeline and cuts off water supply when abnormal behavior is detected. This shut-off helps to protect your entire household from costly damage.

Repairs

Plumbing is a vital system that carries water from a source to fixtures such as faucets and sinks, and then out of the home to sewer or septic systems. Plumbers work to maintain and repair this essential infrastructure.

Typical plumbing repairs include fixing leaks in the supply side of the system, and repairing clogs on the drainage side. The former can occur when a pipe freezes, a joint is broken or a plastic tube deteriorates prematurely.

The latter can occur when a drain pipe is clogged and water cannot get out of the house. Leaks on this side of the system are as important as those on the supply side, because they can lead to flooding and a buildup of waste products in the home.

Keeping up on maintenance can save you money in the long run, especially for simple tasks like replacing your toilet flapper or snaking out a sink drain regularly. In addition, a tank liner for your water heater can help prevent condensation from forming inside the tank and potentially damaging the unit.

Replacements

Replacing plumbing fixtures and pipes is a necessary step for keeping your home or commercial building in great shape. Over the years, pipes can corrode, rust, and eventually burst, causing floods and leaks that are expensive to repair.

A plumbing company can help you choose the best replacement for your needs. They can recommend the most cost-effective materials, suggest the right size for the job, and even find ways to save you money on the installation.

They can also provide you with the best way to pay for the services they offer. Many plumbing companies offer financing options for their customers to make the process of repairing their home easier.

Another option is to use cross-linked polyethylene tubing, or PEX, which meets code nearly everywhere and doesn’t require much wall demolition. It can cost about $4,000 to $6,000, says Gove, and is a good choice for homes that are likely to stay in the same family for more than a decade.