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A plumber can flush a water heater, but typically a water heater specialist is best for the job. Expect a pro to charge you between $75 and $200 to come to your home to flush your water heater, depending on where you live. While this cost deters many homeowners from performing this annual maintenance, it can extend the water heater’s lifespan by years, making it worth the additional cost. While you can hire a water heater specialist to handle this maintenance, this is a job most homeowners can perform on their own. 

There are many reasons why water pipes leak. The most common reasons include clogs, broken rubber seals that deteriorate over time, corrosion on copper, brass, or galvanized pipes, and damaged pipe joints.

You might also have a leak if your water pressure is too high (usually higher than 60 psi) or if your fixtures have a crack. Moreover, natural changes in the area around your underground pipes, like growing tree roots, flooding, or earthquakes, can cause leaky water pipes.

PVC pipes are more affordable and applicable in most parts of your home’s plumbing system than copper pipes. They also require less maintenance. The only major restriction with PVC pipes is their low heat tolerance. Therefore, they’re not your best option for supplying hot water from the water heater throughout your home. PVC pipes are also larger in diameter, so they may not fit into certain spaces in your home.

The key difference between a standard spigot (or regular hose bib) and a frost-free hose bib is its design to prevent freezing and pipe bursting during cold weather. A standard spigot is a basic outdoor faucet. In contrast, a frost-free hose bib has a longer stem that extends into the heated interior of the house, placing the shut-off valve inside where it's protected from freezing temperatures. This design, often combined with a downward-sloping supply pipe, ensures water drains out of the faucet body when turned off, preventing ice formation. This allows you to leave the water supply on year-round without the risk of pipe damage, making it a valuable choice for regions with harsh winters.