Repairing pipes can be a tricky task for homeowners without any kind of plumbing experience. Even spotting a pipe issue can be difficult because many pipes in the average home are located out of sight behind walls. This will mean that a professional local plumber will be needed to locate the pipes and then fix them. A broken pipe left unattended can cause a great deal of damage and waste a lot of water at the same time. So how do you know when to
call a plumber to carry out a pipe repair? Here are 6 warning signs to look out for that may indicate that one or more pipes need to be repaired.
- Contaminated Water Supplies
Any extra water treatment systems that you’ve installed in your home will help to prevent any risks of water contamination. If you still have murky unpalatable water after fitting these systems, you may have a broken pipe. Contaminated water is a significant health risk, and this should be addressed as a priority.
- Signs of Corrosion
The plumbing pipes in your home run throughout the entire property and if you notice rust spots this is a problem. This is a sure sign that you have older plumbing pipes that need to be replaced with modern alternatives. This could also indicate that your water has a low pH level which is corroded your pipes and a water test should be carried out.
- Holes and Cracks
There may be visible holes and cracks that are not leaking water yet. These are a source of concern and are a warning sign that a leak is not far behind. Older plumbing pipes are at risk for physical damage that will only get worse over time.
- Lower Water Pressure
You may notice that your water pressure is gradually decreasing over time. This will make dishwashing and showering problematic as there will not be enough water pressure to effectively wash. This is a common sign of a pipe failure somewhere in your home, and eventually, the pipe will simply fall apart entirely. This will cause extensive water damage and waste a large quantity of water in the process.
- Damp Walls and Floors
You may notice water stains on walls and floors which indicate that a pipe has failed in that area. Getting to these pipes is tricky, and a professional plumber will be needed to locate and fix the problem. If these leaks are ignored serious water damage will follow, and the accompanying mold issues will seriously degrade the air quality in your home.
- Old and Outdated Pipes
As you examine some of your plumbing pipes and fixtures, you may notice that they seem old and outdated. This is easy even for a novice DIYer to spot compared to more modern plumbing. An older home built before the 1990s could have pipes made from polybutylene which is a defective material that has been the subject of lawsuits. Even older pipes may be made from cast iron or even clay and as they degrade these break apart very easily.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
