Few systems in a house will punish you as badly as plumbing does when neglected, with water damage potentially causing extensive repair costs. On the upside, the cost of addressing plumbing neglect is often lower compared to the potential savings from preventing such issues. Here is how to proactively avoid plumbing neglect so you can save money.
Knowing the Culprits
Understanding the causes of your home’s plumbing system deterioration is essential. The culprits include chemicals, mineral buildup, biological factors, thermal stress, and even water pressure.
Chemicals
Water contains many chemicals, even with a high-quality filtration system in place. For example, chlorine is present in municipal water systems to prevent disease-causing bacteria from forming in the pipes. However, chlorine can also react with metals and other materials, leading to corrosion. Copper pipes are particularly prone to corrosion when the pH level of the water shifts.
Minerals
Minerals in water tend to collect in pipes, tanks, and drains. Over time, this can cause the flow of water to narrow or even stop, leading to leaks and backups.
Biology
Food waste and water in drains tend to foster bacterial growth. Even if the bacteria are in a drain, they can cause problems. In particular, the bacteria can significantly change the pH level and promote corrosion.
Thermal Stress
Heating and cooling can slowly undermine pipe materials. This can be especially problematic around joints, which often loosen due to thermal stress. The net effect is that the fittings in your plumbing system degrade, ultimately triggering leaks.
Water Pressure
Turning faucets, showerheads, and appliances off and on causes water pressure to vary. Over the years, this pressure can hammer your home’s plumbing. This can encourage micro-cracks to develop and can also push water through loose fittings or degraded washers.
Staying Ahead of Plumbing Neglect
One of the biggest reasons plumbing neglect occurs is that plumbing systems tend to be out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. However, being mindful of your home’s plumbing every few months can save you a lot of money. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways for homeowners to address plumbing neglect.
Monitor Your Water Bill
One of the easiest things to do is to simply monitor your water bill. If your household’s water consumption rises without an obvious explanation, you may want to look for other signs of trouble. Compare your usage year over year for specific months to make a reasonable comparison.
Check the Water Meter
A simple way for a homeowner to quickly spot leaks is to turn off all plumbing fixtures in their house for several hours. Check the water meter that the utility company installed outside your house. Write down the readings, and then come back a few hours later. If the readings have visibly changed without any household water use, then there is likely a leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing system. Let one of our plumbers know so we can verify what is happening.
The Sniff Test
Leaking water often encourages mold growth. You may notice a musty smell around fixtures in your kitchen or bathroom. Likewise, smells may accumulate in a service closet or basement. People often dismiss these odors as just the usual funk, but they’re an indication that mold is receiving enough moisture to reproduce.
Even a small leak under a sink can cost you hundreds of dollars over a year. Worse, it could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to surrounding wood. For want of a $5 faucet washer, you could end up spending serious money.
Staining or Pooled Water
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for signs of leaks. For example, you might see stains near a leaky exterior spigot. Likewise, there may be pooled water or a damp patch of concrete in the area.
Water Pressure
Pay attention to your home’s water pressure, as it often gives you a warning about mineralization and leaks. Especially if a single system, such as the bathroom, seems to have unusually low water pressure, this could signal that a line is narrowing due to mineralization. Some systems also thump because the lines must build pressure to overcome a problem.
Discolored Water
Minerals in the water can cause discoloration. If the water in your house doesn’t look as clear as it could, ask our plumbers to take a look.
Smart Technologies
While your senses always serve as good detectors, there are plenty of reasons to seek additional help in being proactive. Smart technologies in the plumbing industry make leak detection easier than ever. Some of the newest smart valves can even detect pressure drops and cut off lines before leaks get out of hand.
Even better, some models send notifications to your phone. This is particularly convenient if you’re on vacation. You can provide our plumbers with the code to enter your house, allowing us to perform work before you even return from your trip.
Predictive maintenance is another smart feature that’s growing in popularity. These systems track how long a system has run since its last replacement or maintenance. This allows you to stay ahead of potential issues with something like a water heater.
Proactive Solutions
Another way to be proactive is to implement solutions that reduce the risk of plumbing problems. These solutions can help prevent mineral buildup and leaks.
Water Filtration
There are numerous water filtration options that mitigate many of the previously discussed issues. Carbon filters can treat chlorine and other compounds in the water that cause corrosion. Reverse osmosis also discourages bacteria and prevents minerals in the water from accumulating. UV purification similarly prevents bacteria and viruses.
Notably, this approach won’t just be easier on the plumbing. Filtration can also protect your investment in appliances like your washer, dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
Be sure to keep up with filter replacements. Checking filters every three months will help you identify when you need new ones. Some high-demand households may need to check filters more frequently.
Inspections
Homeowners should schedule a plumbing inspection at least once every three years. As a house ages past 20 years, it is wise to adjust the schedule to once every two years. At the 50-year mark, consider having an annual inspection. You should also schedule a plumbing inspection before purchasing or selling a house.
Drain Cleaning
Drain cleaning is an excellent method to clear developing blockages. Annual drain cleaning is a good way to keep a system functioning well. Many people schedule drain cleaning to coincide with a plumbing inspection.
Bamboo Plumbing has been providing expert plumbing services to homeowners in Hollywood, FL, Boca Raton, and the surrounding areas since 2016. We are a licensed plumbing business, and you can rely on us to perform our work safely and with respect for your property. We also strive to be as eco-friendly in our work as possible.
If you’re worried about signs of plumbing neglect in your Hollywood home, contact Bamboo Plumbing today.
