Faulty & Toxic Plumbing Pipes You Must Find
Don’t let a faulty plumbing system ruin your day. Call Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. at 847-268-3553 for expert plumbing services!
In addition to flooding and fires, unexpected leaks or bursts from faulty plumbing pipes can cause some of the most severe and costly damages to your home. Being completely unaware of faulty plumbing pipes can make the situation feel worse. Unlike natural disasters and accidental fires, it is possible to find out early if your home has plumbing issues and take action to prevent water damage.
If you have concerns about faulty plumbing pipes in your home, contact the plumbers in St. Charles from Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co.
When and Why to Inspect for Faulty Plumbing Pipes
You take good care of your home, inside and out. It can be hard to believe there are hidden issues you are unaware of. However, as our homes age, so do the plumbing, electrical, and structural materials than remain largely out of sight.
While most modern plumbing systems should last the life of your home or longer, no system is perfect. If you live in a house over 30 years old, consider a plumbing inspection.
Some of the materials used for pipes in older homes include:
- Cast iron
- Clay
- Lead
- Orangeburg
- PVC
- Transite
These piping materials vary in life span, but most have a life expectancy of 100 years. As a result, these piping materials could remain in your older home.
Experiencing Restricted Water Flow
Consider an inspection if you notice inconsistencies in the water flow or water pressure throughout your home. Older pipes can develop mineral buildup and corrosion as they age. Reduced water flow is an indicator of this buildup.
In addition to restricting water flow, mineral buildup can result in bacterial growth that can harm overall health. This bacterial growth can seep into the water system used by everyone in the home.
Piping Made of Toxic Materials
While most piping systems have a long-expected lifespan, some older systems consist of corrosive materials that the industry was unaware of at the time of their building. The three most corrosive piping materials include:
- Galvanized steel
- Lead
- Polybutylene
Modern homes are not likely to include these materials in their piping systems. Homes built before the late 1990s may still have them, so it is wise to inspect your home if it is over 30 years old.
Galvanized steel products are highly susceptible to calcium buildup and corrosion. Polybutylene corrodes when in contact with standard chemicals, such as disinfectants, found in our public water systems.
Lead by itself is highly toxic. Over time, lead fragments can leak into the water system and impact health. Among health concerns, studies link lead poisoning to learning and developmental delays in children.
Deteriorating Sewer Lines
Having pipes leak or burst in your home is one thing if it is a pipe that comes from a clean or white water supply. Pipes from gray or black water sources carry contaminated water.
Gray water is water drained from showers, sinks, and kitchens. This water contains some bacteria but is not as harmful as black water.
Black water comes from human waste and sewage. It is highly contaminated and leads to severe health risks. Leaks and breaks from pipes containing sewage water are dangerous.
Although designed to last a lifetime, pipes still experience deterioration. Deteriorating pipe materials and bacteria can end up in the water we use daily.
What to Inspect for
Inspecting faulty plumbing pipes shouldn’t just include the obvious cracks and leaks. A complete inspection should include looking for indicators of potential internal plumbing issues or future breaks.
Pipe Structure and Belly Formation
We all know what pipes look like before and during installation. Plumbers install pipes straight and level, only curving to join other lines or make minor turns. Over time, pipes can develop changes to shape, like bulges, roundness, and buckling.
These changes can lead to restricted water flow. They can also lead to structural weaknesses that can develop into cracks and breaks.
Clogging
Try as we might, our pipes can clog from hair, soap scum, debris, and other gunk. Clogged pipes lead to restricted water flow, which increases unhealthy water buildup.
Tree Root Interference
We can control where we place our pipes but cannot always predict tree root growth. Tree roots grow for years in all directions and are quite strong. When they do, they can interfere with the home’s piping system causing structural damages, including the bowing and buckling previously discussed.
Corrosion
Corrosion indicates mineral and bacteria buildup that can lead to leaks and breaks in the plumbing system.
Bad Older Repairs
Piping knowledge and techniques change with time. What we once considered a good repair might no longer be acceptable for modern plumbing systems.
In addition, not every technician performs the same quality work. Prior repairs that seemed to solve the problem for a while may now show signs of wear and tear, leaks, breaks, corrosion, and other issues. Situations like these require the modern techniques and expertise of a reliable plumber.
Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co.
Whether needing an inspection on your current home or on an older home you want to purchase, consider calling the professionals at Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. We are a locally owned company serving Elgin and the surrounding areas.
Our professional and courteous technicians are fully licensed and insured to handle your plumbing and sewer issues, including emergency services. We strive for quick and reliable services to achieve 100% customer satisfaction with each visit. In addition to emergency services, we offer same-day services.
At Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., we understand unexpected breakdowns and failures can be frustrating. We provide our services at affordable rates, with detailed written estimates and 100% financing to get your home functioning safely.
Don’t let faulty plumbing pipes surprise you. We know how to avoid common plumbing problems. Contact Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., Elgin, IL, at (847) 268-3553 to schedule an appointment if you have concerns about faulty plumbing pipes.
