Owning a boat is a wonderful luxury and not something to be taken for granted. There are many skills you’ll need to master to help take care of your precious investment, none more important than learning the basics of boat plumbing maintenance. Unless you leave your boat at a full-service marina, you will be unable to get away with owning a boat without learning how to take care of the plumbing. The following are some of the most important tips to keep in mind about your boat and will help you safeguard it for many years to come.

Water Tanks

It can be tricky to keep freshwater tanks on boats. Sure, the water is fine for boiling in a kettle to make tea or coffee, but they aren’t safe enough to drink as is. Also, large water tanks can be a liability when not cared for properly. It’s recommended that you don’t buy gigantic five-liter reusable water carriers and, instead, simply invest in smaller vessels. In terms of drinking water: just buy bottled water and bring it aboard for the crew and guests. If you must buy a water tank, then invest in something made of stainless steel, fiberglass, or even plastic since the flexibility is bound to help. 

Contaminated Water System

If you suspect that your water may have been contaminated, you will need to replace all the pipes, and maybe even the tank you have aboard. In this case, this is a fairly serious intervention that you shouldn’t attempt on your own. The local plumbers at a reliable boat repair shop in San Francisco recommend finding professionals in your area to consult regularly for maintenance. When pipes get contaminated with fungus or algae growth, it can be incredibly dangerous to your health, and the system would need to be sterilized completely by the pros moving forward.

Basic Troubleshooting

While water pumps are fairly resilient devices and can last for years with minimal trouble, things can go bad at the turn of a dime. For starters, you definitely have a filter installed in the system ahead of the pump, since that will ensure their longevity. In addition, you need to check on the wiring and problems in the electric supply that will end up affecting the lifespan of your plumbing. People don’t realize that the boat’s electricity can affect the capacity of the plumbing, which is a big mistake. 

Finally, if you see a leak from the tank, try to get it fixed straight away. These are fairly common and can strike at any moment. For this reason, stainless steel tanks could be your best bet in preventing holes from burrowing into your plumbing. For boats with more complex systems such as pressurized hot and cold water, or pressure valves, regular maintenance checks performed by professionals is a good way of protecting yourself from further trouble down the road.

While maintaining the plumbing on your boat is usually a lot easier than maintaining the plumbing at your home, it’s still useful to secure the assistance of a pro from time to time. If you are passionate about learning DIY techniques, then read up on a few tips available through your local boating association - just make sure not to skimp and save on the bigger expenses.