For many homeowners, there will be a day when the plumbing inside your house simply becomes outdated. For the most part, older pipes don’t pose a problem until they begin to deteriorate rapidly, causing extensive damage or possibly affecting the quality of the water in your home. If you suspect that your plumbing is on its last leg, here are a few signs to look for:
Age of Your Home
One of the biggest factors to consider regarding plumbing maintenance is the age of your home. Throughout history, we have used a wide range of different materials in plumbing. From cast iron to PVC, each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. The age of your home will tell you what kind of plumbing was used during that era of construction. Each type of material also has an expected lifespan, usually ranging from 25-100 years.
Some materials hold up better over time, while others need regular maintenance lest they break down. Unless your home is brand new, it is certainly worth thinking about how old your home is, whether or not the plumbing has ever been upgraded since it was built, and whether you have been doing regular maintenance to extend the life of your existing plumbing.
Your Local Water Supply
Another issue you need to pay attention to is the kind of water that is coming into your home. In particular, areas with hard water tend to cause plumbing to break down faster. This is because the hard water leaves behind deposits of minerals that cause corrosion and other damage to the inside of the pipes. Since the damage is not visible, it usually goes unnoticed until a pipe starts to leak. If you have exposed pipes anywhere in your house, you can inspect them for signs of dimpling, flaking, or discoloration that may indicate a breach is about to happen.
Water Discoloration
If your home has iron, steel, or copper pipes, you should also be on the lookout for water discoloration as your pipes age. When the inside of your pipes begin to break down, small flakes of metal and rust will flow into your faucets. At first, it may be almost imperceptible, but as the problem advances, the water will turn a muddy orange-brown color. You certainly don’t want to be ingesting these particles! At this point, you will definitely want to call a local plumber to assess the problem and create a plan for replacing your plumbing.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of issues in your plumbing, but if the problem is chronic, it might be time for a full replacement. In some cases, your plumbing has become severely clogged due to tree roots, hard water deposits, or other debris from deteriorating pipes. In other cases, you start to develop pinhole leaks in your supply lines which allow the pressure to escape before the water ever reaches your faucets. Often, these leaks persist because they are small and don’t cause immediate flooding or visible damage to your home, but you may begin to notice signs of mold or mildew in your basement or under your home that indicates a problem instead.
Resale Value
There is also something to be said about the resale value of a home that has been properly upgraded. If your home is older, plumbing can be a major concern for potential buyers. However, showing that your home has been updated to meet current plumbing standards can go a long way toward reassuring them that the house won’t fall apart as soon as they move in.
Whether you have already noticed a change in water quality or not, it is always important to keep an eye on your plumbing. If you have never had your plumbing serviced, or if your home is older than 20 years, it’s possible that you could have some major plumbing repairs in your future. When the repairs start compounding in cost and difficulty, it may be better to simply replace your old plumbing with a more modern option.
This will reduce the need for any repairs in the near future, and ensure that you are getting the best quality water out of your tap. It can also save you a ton of money on water remediation if you can avoid an unexpected leak caused by aging pipes. For more information about plumbing repairs in Phoenix, contact Day and Night Air today. We offer full plumbing replacements as well as a range of maintenance services to keep your pipes in great shape.