Having your home or business re-piped can be pretty costly, so once those new pipes are in place, you really want to do all you can to keep them in good shape. Here are four practices you can employ, either in a residential or commercial setting, in order to extend the life of your pipes.

Install a Water Softener

Water softeners are sometimes seen as a luxury item that makes your shower water more enjoyable, but in fact, they're as good for your plumbing system as they are for your skin. Water softeners remove excess calcium and magnesium from the water as it enters the building. This way, these dissolved minerals do not end up depositing themselves on the insides of your new pipes. Mineral buildup in pipes is next to impossible to remove and usually requires that the blocked section of pipe be replaced. You can purchase a basic water softener and have it installed in your home for an average cost of $3,000. Commercial installation may cost a little more.

Ban the use of drain cleaners.

Drain cleaners wreak havoc on drain pipes. Especially if a pipe is completely blocked, they can sit inside the pipe for far longer than desired, slowly causing the pipe material to break down and weaken. Do this again and again, and before you know it, your new pipes will be leaking. Make sure everyone in your home or business knows not to use drain cleaners in the sinks. Instead, rely on your plunger and perhaps a bucket of boiling water whenever you have a clog. If this does not work, make a call to the plumber.

Keep pressure under control.

Whether or not you really need to worry about this depends on your municipality. In some areas, water is sent through the system at a very high pressure, which is hard on your pipes. You can have a pressure regulator installed where the main water pipe enters the home. This regulator basically fills with water and then sends it through your pipes at a lower, less destructive pressure.

How do you know if pressure is an issue in your area? One idea is to call your local water department and ask what the water pressure is in an average home in the area. A pressure of 80 PSI is the maximum you want. In some areas, the pressure is 100 or even 150 PSI, in which case, installing a pressure regulator is a good choice for your plumbing. 

Contact a service, like A Plus Water, for more help.