When to Call for Professional Water Line Repair
Burst pipes or leaky water lines are a major contributor to home damage yearly. When water lines are not sound, they can leak or burst, flooding the area in minutes. Preventing burst water pipes should be a major priority, but most people don’t know they are in danger. Here are three signs that water line replacement or repair is imminent.
Evidence of Rust and Corrosion
The first sign that water lines are failing is evidence of rust and corrosion. Rust and corrosion only occur on metal lines like iron-based pipes or copper, proving that the pipes are failing. Rust and corrosion eat away at the inside of the piping, making it more likely to rupture and cause flooding in the home. Call a professional for water line repairs at the first sign of:
- Water with a metallic taste
- Hazy or cloudy water
- Odors in the water
- Crusty buildup on plumbing fixtures
- Visible corrosion on exposed piping
Numerous Leaks
Pipes are made of resilient materials buried under the ground or safely tucked behind walls. Why would they not last forever? They handle plenty of hazards that can eventually cause them to fail. The vibrations that occur in the pipe as water travels and changes velocity can cause joints to fail and anchors to pull loose. Pressure fluctuations can also strain the walls, not to mention the corrosion discussed above.
These hazards take a toll on piping and cause it to leak over time. Leaks need to be repaired quickly to avoid water damage to the home, and large sections of leaky piping should be replaced as part of a larger project.
Some of the signs of leaks are:
- Soggy spots in the yard
- Lush lawn growth
- Standing water near the foundation of the home
- Wet spots indoors
- High water bills
Old Piping
Over the years, several different materials have served as piping. These include:
- Galvanized steel
- Black iron pipe
- Copper
- Brass
- PVC
- PEX
Determining the age of piping can be done fairly accurately by determining what type of piping is present in the home. For example, galvanized steel and black iron piping were used until the middle of the last century because plastics were widely available as plumbing materials. If these pipes are present in the home, they are almost certainly outdated and failing and should be replaced immediately.
More recently, PVC has become popular for plumbing because of its reliability, longevity, and low cost. It became popular in the 1950s to replace expensive steel and iron pipes. Since PVC has been in service for so long, it is likely nearing the end of its 40-60-year life expectancy and should be replaced.
PEX piping is the most popular option for installation and repair in modern homes. If a home has PEX piping, it is likely recent enough that it isn’t suffering from old age and shouldn’t cause alarm. If other types of piping are in place, then water line replacement should be seriously considered.
About Sewer Surgeons
Sewer Surgeons are available 24/7 for sewer line emergencies. Their teams specialize in handling sewer line repairs and drain cleaning. Call today for water line service in Chatham, NJ.
