Did you realize that 15% of the value of your home is tied up in your plumbing system? And that the integrity of your plumbing system can seriously affect the health of you and yours as well as the safety of the structure itself? A smoothly functioning plumbing system protects health and adds to the convenience of daily activity. Nothing is used more often.

And the resale value of your residence is greatly affected by how modern and well maintained its plumbing is. So diligent maintenance and occasional upgrading makes a lot of sense. You may choose to do minor repairs yourself, while many things should be left to professional, licensed plumbing contractors and their experienced journeymen plumbers.

Minor problems – such as clogged drains, dripping faucets or leaking toilet flush valves – are more than a simple bother because they waste water and can lead to more-serious repairs. You may be comfortable handling such problems yourself or not. But certainly, major repairs and maintenance

as well as new plumbing installations should be made by licensed professional plumbing contractors, who must stay up to date on the latest materials, methods and technologies.

They also must stay current with the codes that govern the products and procedures to be used in your area. (Did you know that the vast majority of licensed plumbers in Illinois go through a five-year rigorous, comprehensive education program involving classroom and on-the-job training – and then are required to maintain a continuing education program to keep their licenses?)

Be especially careful if you choose to buy your own fixtures, fittings or piping that what you get in fact is acceptable under the plumbing codes in place for your community. While the State of Illinois has its own plumbing code, many municipalities have their own codes that are more stringent than the state code that govern what can be installed and how.