If your residential pipes are made of:
- Copper, they’re supposed to last 50+ years
- Cast iron, they’re supposed to last 75 to 100 years.
- Galvanized steel, they’re supposed to last 20 to 50 years.
- PVC, they’re supposed to last forever!
And if they don’t last as long as these guidelines, you might have a problem on your hands! Here are a few signs that may help you identify what it is.
Discolored Water
This one isn’t too difficult to spot. Every time you fill your bathtub, look at the color of the water before you step in. You should only proceed with showering if the water appears crystal-clear and is free of any sediments. If the water appears slightly brown or yellowish, it’s a surefire sign that the pipes have started rusting.
Discoloration of water becomes more prominent if you go on vacation and come home after a few days. This is because the water has been sitting stagnant in the pipes for some time and mixes with the sediment.
Rusted water is quite a nuisance. It’s not the healthiest option to drink, and it stains your clothes if you’re using it for laundry purposes. The solution is to get the rusted pipes replaced.
Stains
It’s not normal to see stubborn, dark brown stains on the ceilings and walls. While most of us assume that it’s just seepage, it usually means that the plumbing system is failing. Stains are always a sign that the pipes located behind the wall/ceiling have started leaking and need to be repaired.
When the moisture levels behind the walls increases as a result of leaks, stains start showing up. To make matters worse, the stains keep darkening if the problem remains unaddressed. This also means that repair expenses will increase. With time, you may also start seeing signs of warping, bubbling, and mold growth.
In most cases, the exact location of the leak lies more or less above the stain and is not too difficult to spot—as long as you have professional help.
Lower Water Pressure
This problem is more common among older homes that use galvanized pipes. Low water pressure usually means that the pipes have either become clogged or corroded.
To watch for signs of corrosion, you should check the pipes installed in the crawlspaces and see if they’re wearing out. When pipes have high acid-content, the tube looks it has been eaten. As a result, broken fragments accumulate at the base of the pipe and cause a blockage, leading to reduced water pressure.
Other causes of low water pressure include outdated fixtures, malfunctioning pressure valves, broken pressure regulators, or closed valves. If the problem is confined to a small area of the pipes, you may be able to repair it. However, if the pipes are corroded altogether, the only solution is to replace them.
Get in touch with Pro Serve Plumbers if you’re looking for a plumbing service in Fort Worth, TX that addresses all your plumbing woes without emptying your pockets.
We offer pipe repair services at affordable prices.
