The plumbing in your home is one of those things that is easily taken for granted. Many people do not realize just how important it is to keep an eye on the various components of their plumbing so that if there is a change they can address it before it becomes a bigger problem. To ensure that you keep the water flowing smoothly in your home there are some things that you should take the time to look at monthly, if not even more often if you have an older home.

One very important problem that many tend to overlook is when they have a faucet that is dripping. While it may seem like a minor situation, that small drip is leading to gallons of wasted water over time. It can also degrade the fixture and require a larger fix if it is not taken care of immediately. If you do not have the skills or knowledge to handle this yourself a professional will surely be happy to do this for you for a very small fee, especially when compared to the cost of the water literally just going down the drain.

Another important inspection to make at least once a month is under any cabinets that contain plumbing. Even the tiniest leak can lead to serious water damage in very little time. Of course, having to replace cabinets and flooring due to a leak left unnoticed can be rather expensive. It can also cause the corrosion of pipes, which is extremely expensive to remedy. One aspect that is often forgotten when it comes to water damage is that there will almost definitely be mold growth, which can lead to health issues for anyone that lives in the home. A simple glance and feel, while looking for water spots, done once a month can help to guarantee that you notice a problem before it becomes an even bigger one.

You also want to be sure that there hasn’t been any damage to your plumbing insulation. One of the worse possible scenarios is having a pipe that has burst due to freezing. In the very least be sure to check this in the beginning of winter and then regularly through the winter months. Doing so will definitely save you thousands of dollars on potential repairs if it is left unchecked. It only takes one very frigid day, even in a usually moderate climate, to lead to pipes freezing and bursting. It is best to be safe and perform a regular check.

Monthly plumbing checks are a great way to save a great deal on the overall maintenance of your home. Small problems can very quickly turn into a major disaster if they are left unattended to. It is well worth putting in the small repairs now to save from major issues that can come in the future. Doing a good check each month will ensure that you can make that happen.