It may come as a surprise for most United States residents that there is such a thing as World Plumbing Day. One of the main reasons for the lack of awareness is that indoor plumbing is something that we are fortunate enough to be able to take for granted. In many countries, poor plumbing and sanitation is still a major public health issue that impacts households, common areas, and city infrastructures.
The World Plumbing Council selected March 11th as the official day that they would encourage companies, government organizations, NGOs, public entities, and individuals to reflect on the important role that plumbing plays in our health and critical infrastructure. In less developed countries it is still common for the lack of plumbing and sanitation to lead to the spread of disease and preventable illnesses. In the United States, we are fortunate to have such excellent infrastructure and residential building codes that plumbing rarely enters our minds unless we have a clogged drain or toilet. March 11th is a great day to perform a check of your home’s plumbing systems to make sure that everything is in working order and that a small problem does not have the chance to get bigger. Here is a basic list of items we recommend that you check this World Plumbing Day.
- Check to make sure that none of the toilets in your home are running between flushes. The best way to check for this is to see if you hear water running between flushes or if there is movement in the water on the outer rim of the toilet bowl when not in use. The visual disturbance of water on the edges of the bowl can be subtle, but it can help identify water-wasting toilet issues.
- Check under all sinks to make sure that no leaks are going undetected. Leaky plumbing under sinks is a leading cause of water damage and mold in U.S. homes. These leaks can be quiet and slow making it easy for them to go unnoticed. However, because the areas under sinks are dark and enclosed, a small leak can create significant water damage and potential mold spore activity.
- Check your water heater for signs of preventable issues like sediment buildup. If your water is taking longer to get warm and there does not seem to be as much of it, there is a good chance that your water heater needs to be flushed and serviced. Another telltale sign that sediment might be building up in your water heater is a knocking sound coming from the tank itself. If you notice any of these things, it is a good idea to have a professional inspect and service your water heater sooner than later.
We hope that on this World Plumbing Day you will take a moment to double-check the plumbing in your home and reflect on how lucky we truly are in the United States. Here a plumbing emergency is usually a clogged drain or toilet, but in other parts of the world, inadequate plumbing is a serious public health and safety issue. As always if you should have any questions about your plumbing systems or need service, our team is here 24/7 to help, and of course happy World Plumbing Day!
