What You Need to Know about Keeping Your Plumbing System in Good Working order

When it comes to our homes, having properly-working and properly-functioning utilities is of the utmost importance. Take your plumbing and heating, for instance. If your plumbing system does not work properly, you could be in for a lot of headaches (and expenses as well). It is therefore important to make sure that your plumbing and heating system is always in good working order. And even if you have a tradesperson to rely upon, it is still in your best interest to know something about how to maintain your plumbing and heating system so that you can at least avoid costly breakdowns and inconveniences.

What you need to be aware of

The unfortunate fact is that we only think about our plumbing and heating system when there is already a problem – such as when there is a major leak, or when the heating breaks down. When you do call in a plumber or heating specialist during this type of emergency, your expenses can run to significant amounts. It is in your best interest to keep your plumbing and heating system functioning well so that you do not have to deal with exorbitant emergency expenses. Plus, it is also to your advantage to insure that your plumbing system is working well, because if your system is energy efficient, you have a better chance of getting more savings on your utility bills.
If you are planning to have your property rented out or are planning to rent a property yourself, you or your landlord are also required to conduct an annual gas safety check.

Checks on your plumbing and heating system you can do by yourself 

Of course, the annual servicing of your plumbing and heating system should be done by a fully qualified and licensed professional, such as a plumber in London from BBS Plumbing Heating Service, but there are some simple checks you can do on your own as well.
The checks you can do by yourself include a visual inspection of all your system’s pipe work. And whilst checking the visible pipes for any signs of leaks or condensation, you can also check your ceilings for signs of leaks. Additionally, you should make it a point to check your radiators and make sure that they are hot, not only at the bottom, but also at the top.

Other important maintenance checks

Another maintenance task you can do on your own is to bleed your radiators, which will eliminate any air buildup in your system. You should also check your taps regularly to see if the water flow is good. And whilst you are checking your taps, you should also make sure that they are not dripping when turned off.
An equally important maintenance check is for carbon monoxide leaks. If carbon monoxide escapes from your appliances running on gas, this can be extremely dangerous. For this, what you can do is install a carbon monoxide detector which is also equipped with its own alarm, so you will be warned in case there is any CO leak in your system. The good news is that these carbon monoxide detectors can be bought both online and at your neighbourhood DIY shop and are not that expensive to purchase, either. A carbon monoxide detector can set you back from £20 – £30, but it is considered priceless when it comes to your own peace of mind.

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