Plumbing pipes run throughout a house in the walls, floors, and ceilings. While most people consider plumbing out of sight, out of mind, they don’t think that when there’s a plumbing problem. Unfortunately, aging plumbing causes additional problems like mold and mildew, buckled flooring and walls, and wet spots in the yard.
Pipes might be out of sight, but aging pipes leave signs of coming expenses. Keep in mind that water enters through the pipes and waste goes out. When the quality of the water changes, that’s the first indication of a problem. The water should be clear. Any other color, odor, slow draining, and low water pressure indicate that you might need pipe replacement. What are the signs of aging plumbing pipes?
Water Discoloration
The hardness of the water going through the pipes, in addition to sediment picked up along the way, means discolored water. The type of pipe used also means rust and other contaminants—types of pipe-like cast iron and galvanized steel leech contaminants into your drinking water. Anything other than clear water coming out of your faucets should be dealt with by a professional plumber. You might need a pipe replacement.
Corrosion
Pipes nearing their use-by date manifest their age with flakes in the water. Rust is the most noticeable. Fragments and other secretions of minerals can make your water undrinkable. A professional plumber will test your water for these things and tell you if your pipes need replacing.
Peeling Paint And Water Stains On Walls And Ceilings
These are signs of leaks or breakages in aging pipes. Paint and wallpaper will peel and bubble. Water stains will appear on ceilings and walls. The flooring will buckle, and the carpet will be wet. These, however, are just the outward signs of aging pipes. Unseen mold and mildew will be present in the walls, ceilings, and floors.
Not only will the leaks or breakages require repair or possible replacement, but the wet walls, ceilings, and floors will need to be repaired. Mold remediation will be required as well. A professional plumber will find the leaks and breaks, repair or replace them, and recommend professionals for the other problems as well.
Reduced Water Pressure
Just like your arteries are clogged by plaque, mineral deposits clog your pipes. This means your water has a more challenging time reaching your faucets. Reduced or low water pressure is a sign of aging pipes. You’ll notice this the most when using the shower or turning on the water in the kitchen or bathrooms. The washing machine will take forever to fill.
Reduced or low water pressure is also a sign of leaks or breaks in aging pipes. A professional plumber will test the pipes to diagnose the problem. Then he’ll either repair or replace the pipes. He’ll also flush the whole system to remove the mineral buildup from the pipes.
Wet Spots In The Yard
Wet spots or spots of grass that are intensely green mean a sewer line leaks. Plumbers run special cameras through the cleanout in your yard that goes deep into the sewer line to find leaks and breaks. When the problem is spotted, the plumber will then know where to dig to replace the leaking or broken section of the pipe.
Tree roots tend to be the culprits here, but aging pipes could also cause sewer line problems. Older homes might have clay, Orangeburg pipes (wood fiber pipe), or even lead pipes. The most common are cast iron and galvanized steel, which tends to be eaten away by rust. Either way, a professional plumber will be required to fix the problem.
