Your plumbing brings water to clean, bathe, drink, and remove waste. You use your plumbing system daily, and you ought to be able to notice a major problem with it. You can take care of your drains to extend the life of your pipes, but eventually, they will show signs of wear.
1. Discolored Water
You expect your water to be clear when you drink a glass or bathe in it, but sometimes discolored water comes from the faucet. If the city works on the main water line, your water could shut off and come out murky. Constant murky brown, red, or orange water means rust is chipping off into the water from corroded sections of pipes.
2. Visible Corrosion
You won\’t see physical damage since your plumbing is mostly behind the walls and floors. You can see corrosion or flaking on visible pipes like the ones you\’d find in your basement. If you notice any damage to visible pipes, covered ones probably have the same damage and need replacement.
3. Consistently Clogging Pipes
A minor clog can stop your pipes from draining water, but frequent issues could mean you have a more complex problem. A minor clog usually happens around your drain, but frequent clogs mean the problem is deeper in your plumbing. During an inspection, our plumbers can find the location of the clog and the reason for it.
4. Cracks in Pipes
A crack in your pipe is one of the more obvious signs you need a pipe replacement. Water seeping out and soaking through your drywall makes finding the problem easy. Wet spots mean you have a plumbing emergency and the damage will spread until you shut off the water.
5. Decreased Water Pressure
Low water pressure could mean an issue with the water pipes in your area. Sometimes, a problem with the street\’s water main can cause temporary low water pressure in your home. Constant low water pressure may mean your older pipes can\’t handle your current water needs and require replacement.
6. Aging Pipes
PVC plumbing pipes can last indefinitely with maintenance, but all others have life spans. Our plumbers can tell you what type of pipes you have in your home with an inspection. The life span of your pipes depends on the materials they\’re made of and the regularity of their maintenance.
- Galvanized steel lasts 20 to 50 years.
- Brass lasts 40 to 45 years.
- Copper lasts 50+ years.
- Cast iron lasts 75 to 100 years.
7. Lack of Maintenance
Plumbing maintenance can reduce the frequency and severity of repairs by catching small issues before they escalate. Routine maintenance reveals many signs of failing pipes before they ruin your plumbing. Pipes without proper maintenance may crack or corrode, becoming a more expensive problem.
You use your plumbing daily, and knowing signs of future issues helps. Adding plumbing maintenance to your list for the new year will get your year off to a good start. If you need an inspection or any pipe replacements in Dayton, OH, call us today at The Right Brothers Plumbing & Drains to schedule an appointment.