WATER PIPE INSTALLATION, REPLACEMENT & REPAIR
When considering installing new water pipes in your business or home there are quite a few things to consider and or questions that you should have answers to before commencing work. PLUMBSQUADS is here to answer them all and help you along this journey.
Check out these five signs to look for if it’s time for pipe replacement or repairs:
- Poor water pressure or volume
- Leaking and/or corroded pipes
- Rusty, discolored water
- Existing pipes are galvanized steel
- Problems when running more than one fixture
Poor water pressure most often is the term used to describe what low water volume is. The major contributing factor to poor water volume is the rust and corrosion causing the inside diameter of the pipe to close off much like ageing arteries in a heart. Adding to the problem is the constant flow of debris that flow through an aging water system. As water pipes age, corrosion and rust deposits form and cling to the walls of the pipes, slowly constricting the inside diameter and limiting the amount of water that can flow through it. These deposits can and often break loose and flow to fixtures clogging the orifices that supply the fixture with water.
Consider that the water supply fixtures being manufactured today are built with current technology and materials in mind. They are designed to work with newer piping materials such as plastics and other materials that don’t corrode. Today’s plumbing and water supply fixtures are built and manufactured to exacting standards with very close tolerances. They are extremely sensitive to any sort of debris; they can clog and or malfunction from it. Also the rust within the pipes is transferred to your water that you are bathing with or worse, drinking. Over time the rust will eat completely through the iron pipe and you will experience leaks.
If your pipes have signs of corrosion on the outside that is usually a good indicator that the interior of the pipe has weakened or become so thin that the pressurized water inside is actually seeping out. This often occurs at the joints that connect the pipe together and can also occur randomly in various locations throughout the entire system. Keep in mind most plumbing systems are installed inside the walls, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces of your home so this visual indicator might not be available, however it doesn’t mean its not happening!
Signs of a Water Leak
1. Unusually High Water Bill
Water bills normally remain consistent, with no more than a $10-$15 variance from month-to-month. So, if you experience a spike in your water bill, it could be a good indicator of a leak.
2. The Sound of Running Water
If you’re hearing water running, though the faucets, toilet valves, and outdoor spigots in not being used, it could be a pipe break.
3. Wet or Damp Floor
You walk across your floor and slip in water. Could be the dog, but he’s been outside and no on spilled anything. Could be a pipe leak.
No only does it hurt to slip and fall but the leaking could be damaging you property, making the whole situation worse.
4. Foul Odors
Bad smells are often due to mold and mildew, which spread fast under ideal conditions. Growth begins within about 24-48 hours, and spores start to colonize in 3-12 days, becoming visible to the eye within about 18 days.
5. Overgrowth, sinkholes, pudding or marshy areas on your property
Unless you didn’t fertilize your lawn evenly, a lush patch of grass in a select area of your lawn, or concentrated wet spot, could indicate pipe leakage which is acting as a fertilizer.
6. Wall Cracks or Fountain Shifting
Over time, even the littlest of leaks can cause cracks in the foundation of your home and compromise the entire structure.
