The plumbing system in your home is susceptible to a wide variety of problems--problems that can cost a small fortune to repair. The good news is that the more you know about your home's plumbing system, the more you can do to help prevent common problems. If you would like to improve your strategic knowledge of residential plumbing, read on. This article will outline three key things every homeowner should know.

How To Check Your Water Pressure

The number of residential plumbing problems that are caused by high water pressure are virtually endless. From leaking pipes and broken appliances to premature fixture failure, high water pressure represents an insidious and destructive force. Thus it is important to check your water pressure periodically to make sure that it remains within acceptable levels.

This task is relatively easy to accomplish with a water pressure gauge. This small gauge has a port that can be screwed onto a threaded spigot such as those found on the exterior of your home. By turning on the water, the gauge will give you an instant pressure reading. Anything above 80psi should be cause for worry; don't hesitate to contact a professional plumber as soon as possible if the reading is that high.

Where Your Main Water Valve Is Located

Not all plumbing disasters originate within the home. Others are the result of things like excessive rainfall, municipal flooding, or clogged sewers. In such cases, you may still end up with a flooded home, backed up fixtures, or other problems should excessive amounts of water push their way into your pipe system.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself against such issues simply by closing off your main water supply valve in times of trouble. Be sure that you know where the main supply valve in your home is located. Generally they are found within the basement. Once you have closed off the supply valve by turning it clockwise all the way, open up a faucet inside of your home in order to drain standing water out of your system.

Where The Path Of Condensate Drain Lines Are

The condensate drain lines running out of an air conditioning system are one of the most overlooked sources of home plumbing leaks, often contributing to problems like rot and mold growth. To make matters worse, this issues often occur in relatively out of the way places, such as inside of walls and crawlspaces. For this reason, it is important to know the path of your condensate drain lines; this knowledge will make it much easier to diagnose potentially related leaks and other issues. 

For more information, contact local professionals like Bevills Plumbing Heating & A/C.