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While you may have some water, it's best to wait until after the repair is complete to use your home's pipes. For one thing, the water pressure will most likely be greatly reduced, leading to a less-than-intense shower. There's also the risk of contamination from dirt and bacteria that can enter the broken water main pipe. In many cases, a pro will turn off the flow of water from your water main to do the repairs, so showering won’t likely be an option.

You should flush your water heater at least once a year, with some experts recommending a schedule of every six to 12 months (e.g., once in the spring and fall). The ideal frequency depends on several factors.

If your area has hard water with high mineral concentrations, you should flush the heater more often—typically every four to six months. Additionally, a water heater that is used frequently may require more frequent flushing than one that is used less often.

Regular flushing is important because it removes sediment buildup from the bottom of the tank. This maintenance helps improve the heater's efficiency, extend its lifespan, and prevent issues like clogs, overheating, and increased energy consumption. You can either learn to perform this task yourself or arrange for a service plan with a professional plumber.

Even though their jobs sound similar—both professions work on pipes—a plumber and pipefitter actually have very different jobs, and pipefitting isn’t considered plumbing. Pipefitting is done in commercial and industrial buildings and factories, and the pipes carry gas, chemicals, acid, and other potentially hazardous substances. Pipefitters often work in intense conditions while plumbers may work in lower-pressure environments.

Water leak detection normally costs between $100 and $500, depending on the severity of the leak, its location, and the methods used for detection. Some water leak detection services will also vary in cost based on location. This also holds true for the cost of water damage restoration, as building material costs vary by location.