While in the past plumbing was an issue in most homes, today’s plumbing systems have developed to the point where people rarely experience burst pipes or kitchen sinks that won’t drain. As long as water runs from the faucet and it drains where it should drain, everything’s okay.
However, the truth is that your plumbing system can actually become a water-filled balloon that could burst if you don’t pay attention. To what, you may ask. Read on to find out!
One of the biggest concerns in plumbing is preventing damage before they happen. While it’s true that the most common plumbing rarely happen today, even the best plumbing systems are not immune to the laws of wear and tear.
And so it goes. Pay attention to unusual noises in the pipes – they are symptomatic that something is wrong, or something is about to go wrong. If you have buried piping that is at risk of freezing up, rusting more rapidly because of soil moisture should be checked regularly. Also, if your outdoor area has ongoing construction or has trees, make sure to do regular maintenance.
Another area of great concern are high-use areas like the kitchen and the bathroom. You can expect for the plumbing components in these areas to have issues sooner than the rest of your house. So, check the parts and pay attention to unusual noises.
If you have an old piping system that’s made of lead, steel or brass, you have something that’s more prone to leaks due to corrosion, wear and tear, among other factors. However, a far greater problem is the presence of lead in the water. In general, only very old houses have lead in their piping, however, it wasn’t until after the mid-1980s that lead-containing solders were stopped from being used. If you live in a house that was built in the 1980s, please have the water tested for lead.
The newer piping systems, which are usually made of polybutylene piping while generally safe, could still have some issues. Again, make sure to pay attention and to contact your local plumber.
If you have low water flow, have your plumbing checked by a professional. Low water flow is usually caused by low water pressure and/or low water volume. While you can’t do anything about the water volume except to call your water supply company, you can do something about the water pressure.
Last Updated on June 18, 2018 