How Unresolved Plumbing Issues Affect Your Health

A person washing their hands in a white sink

Other than being a great inconvenience, plumbing issues can cause health risks and harm your physical and mental wellbeing. Regular maintenance and yearly inspections are essential in keeping your plumbing in shape.

However, neglecting plumbing problems can lead to poor indoor air quality, pesticide infestation, and other issues at home, harming your quality of life. Here are some plumbing issues that can cause the most damage to your health:

Sewage backup

A clogged sewer line can lead to sewer backup and cause the contaminated water to release from your showerhead, faucets, and other fixtures. This not only damages your home’s plumbing, but also poses health concerns for your family.

Sewage water contains harmful bacteria and disease-causing organisms. If you come into physical contact with it, you’re putting yourself a risk of dysentery, vomiting, dehydration, and severe diarrhea. And it doesn’t stop at this.

Sewage water also contains air-borne diseases such as gastroenteritis that can lead to fever, cramping, and vomiting. Since sewage water can ruin your indoor air quality, if you have a sewage backup problem, you’re at a higher risk of developing asthma and other respiratory issues.

Hence, you must get the problem treated by professionals as quickly as possible.

Indoor leaks

The seemingly minor leaks that you ignored aren’t as harmless as you thought they were. Leaking pipes and drains can lead to moisture buildup at your home’s plumbing and cause mold growth.

Mold and mildew are some of the most harmful fungi. They can lead to respiratory issues and trigger asthma and allergic reactions in people prone to them. Hence, when you spot any signs of a leaking pipe, reach out to professional plumbers.

A cat looking at a dripping faucet

Clogged drains

Your drains can get clogged over time due to debris buildup. These blockages are the perfect breeding ground for harmful organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other germs that can spread diseases.

Furthermore, the stench released by clogged drains can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Some common diseases caused by dirty drains and contaminated water include typhoid, peptic ulcers, and legionella.

Corroded water heaters

Conventional water heaters come with a container that stores and heats the water. Over time, due to neglected maintenance, your water heater can become rusted. The sediments of this rust can travel through the pipes and reach your plumbing fixtures, putting you at risk of rust poisoning.

No matter how big or small, you should never ignore a plumbing issue. Take care of your health and invest in plumbing repairs today. At Pro Serve Plumbing, we offer plumbing installation, repair, and replacements at affordable rates.

Our services are available throughout Fort Worth, TX.