No parts of the home do any heavier lifting than your plumbing systems. Providing you with the water you need for daily life, keeping it at the right temperature, and directing waste away from the home are luxuries of modern living that we can easily take for granted. It can quickly become a more prevalent issue when your plumbing system isn’t functioning properly. Watching for signs you need to upgrade your plumbing can make all the difference in running your home efficiently and protecting your assets.
Here are some of the most prevalent signs you need to upgrade your plumbing:
Frequent Leaks
The occasional leak might not be something to worry too much about. If you do it quickly, a faucet with a worn-out seal is an easy fix. However, if your plumbing leaks regularly and you see damp spots on the walls and ceilings, it may be that your plumbing infrastructure has hit its limits. This can be due to deteriorating seals in your pipes, corrosion, mineral buildup, and more. Whatever the case, you need a plumber to help.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be a major annoyance, especially if it makes it harder to take baths or showers, do the dishes, or keep the toilet functional. If your faucets have lost some of their usual force or struggle to maintain a decent water stream, look into the problem before it gets worse. Water pressure can drop due to leaks, mineral deposits, sediment buildup, and corrosion in your pipes. Pipes made from modern materials, like copper, are less likely to have these issues.
Rusty or Discolored Water
If your water doesn’t look right, you shouldn’t drink from the taps. Rusty, discolored, or bad-smelling water indicates your pipes are corroding from the inside out. This is especially prevalent in older pipes made of cast iron or galvanized steel. It affects more than just the taste of your water, too. It can cause blockages and weaken parts of the plumbing system, potentially leading to leaks and bursts.
Frequent Clogs and Slow Drains
It could quickly become an issue if the water isn’t draining from your fixtures as effectively as it should. It might be that your plumbing system needs an upgrade to handle your modern usage demands. Using a plunger or drain cleaner can help you clear up blockages closer to the surface, but if it’s affecting more than one part of the home, you may need sewer line repairs. The sewer line takes sewage water away from the home. When blocked, it can cause this water to seep into the soil or back up into the house, which can be a major health risk.
Unpleasant Odors are signs you need to upgrade your plumbing
If you’re trying to keep your home smelling nice, you don’t want to deal with the bad smells that can come with faults in your pipes. Sometimes, the cause is bacteria, which can be washed away with pipe cleaner. It can also be from blockages, especially in the sewer line. If boiling water, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice don’t clear up any unpleasant odor in your pipes, you’ll need a pro to go deeper.
Visible Corrosion
If you see visible signs of corrosion, like flaking, rust spots, or discoloration, the situation is urgent. This means that corrosion is affecting the entire pipes, which can weaken their structural integrity and burst at any moment. You have to replace these pipes before it’s too late. If you see any signs of corrosion in your water or pipes, inspect the whole system to make sure nothing is in critical condition.
Water Damage and Mold
If you see mold in your home, you should always investigate the cause. It may be that there are issues with air quality and humidity that could be improved by investing in a dehumidifier or improving your ventilation. However, if there’s also water damage or thorough dampness, it can typically be traced back to leaky plumbing. Leaky pipes behind walls and beneath floors can cause mold and water damage to spread rapidly. Inspect beneath the surface when you see mold to ensure the damage isn’t more extensive inside your walls or ceiling.
High Water Bills are one of the signs you need to upgrade your plumbing
If you see a sudden or inconsistent rise in your water bills that can’t be easily explained by higher water usage in the home, then it’s likely that there are hidden issues that require your attention. Talk to your water company first to double-check there are no irregularities on your bill. A service like American Water should easily be able to identify this, even if you can’t. After that, it’s time to check on the pipes. These could be leaks that you have to fix or find. Or, it could be inefficiencies in the plumbing that cause you to use more water than necessary, such as high water pressure.
Old Fixtures and Appliances
It’s not just the pipes that are worth upgrading. You should also look at your fixtures and appliances, like faucets, toilets, and water heaters, to ensure they work efficiently. Older plumbing fixtures are more likely to fail. And, even when they work well, they are unlikely to comply with modern water-saving standards. It’s worth taking the time to upgrade these fixtures for a lower water bill and a more efficient experience throughout the home.
Recap: Signs you need to upgrade your plumbing
The longer you wait, the more expensive the plumbing damage will likely be to repair. Act quickly when you spot any signs you need to upgrade your plumbing. Call a professional for an expert opinion, and get a couple of quotes on how much the work will cost.
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