As a homeowner, there are items around your home that you replace or upgrade over time. It’s easy to know when to upgrade the items such as flooring or furniture because you can see them starting to wear out. But when was the last time you checked on the behind the scenes things like plumbing?
When it comes to checking in on your home’s water pipes, it’s not always a quick or easy project. You usually have to pull up flooring or tear open walls. There are, however, a handful of signs that it may be time to upgrade your plumbing.
Discoloured Water
There are some situations where discoloured water is relatively normal such as when you are on well water or are under a boil order. If these don’t apply to you, then dark or brown water is a cause for water quality concern.
Water becomes dark when your pipes are corroded, and the rust inside the pipe reflects in the water. If the corrosion is left untreated, then the resulting mineral deposits can clog the pipes, building up pressure since water can’t flow through at the regular flow rate. Eventually, the pipes will burst, which will cause extreme damage. If you think your pipes are corroded, it’s important to call in a plumber immediately.
If your pipes coming in are corroded, you’ll also want to investigate the pipes going out to the sewer system.
Low Water Pressure
When it comes to low water pressure, it can be tough to determine what the actual problem is. The cause could be as simple as a small clog somewhere, or your pipes could have small leaks which is a more serious problem.
If you have water in places it shouldn’t be, it can lead to rot or significant foundation issues. If the water is left, and the pipes continue to leak, it could lead to mould growing within your home.
If you have low water pressure, you can try using a regular drain cleaner and see if it helps bring the pressure back up. If you continue to experience issues, it’s recommended you call a plumber.
Exposed Piping is Showing its Age
If your home is about 60 years old (or more), chances are you will have some areas with exposed pipes. Usually, this will be in the unfinished area of the basement. These exposed portions can give you a pretty good idea as to the condition of the rest of the piping that you can’t see in the house.
When you check the pipes, you should look for discoloured areas, flaking or bumps. If you see any moisture accumulation, then it could be a sign of corrosion or that the pipes that aren’t sealed properly. If you have Kitec plumbing, that should be addressed as well.
If you have noticed any of these signs in your home, it is a good idea to call D Jason Plumbing today. We offer full camera inspections to quickly understand what your drinking water issue might be.