Many walls of your home are connected to water supply pipes. Water damage to your home can be caused by pipes that are not properly installed. You can avoid the destruction by knowing when to replace your water pipes. These are the signs that you should replace your pipes.

1. Material Deteriorating

You can choose from many different materials to make water supply lines or drain pipes. Both the expense of galvanized steel pipes and iron pipes has led to their elimination. They also degrade and corrode over time. These pipes have a long lifespan, sometimes exceeding 50 years. However, they can still be found in many homes. Leakage in your walls, or in the water supply can cause corrosion.

Causes

The corrosion process begins with small scratches in the pipe. These are usually caused by hard minerals in the water. Because of their slow pace, small leaks can form. This can cause hidden damage that is not immediately obvious.

2. Health Concerns

Lead poisoning can cause kidney disease, fertility problems, and developmental issues. Old lead pipes could be the reason for lead in water. This is particularly true if lead has not been tested in municipal water sources before the water has reached your home.

Causes

Lead pipes are more common in homes built prior to the 1950s. However, some lead solder might be found in homes with metal pipes that were installed before the 1980s. Lead begins to leach from the water as these pipes age. If you consume the water, health problems are not a concern.

3. Hidden Leaks

Leakage of water pipes can occur in places you might not be aware, like within walls. Mold growth or damp wallboard are two signs that you might notice. A leaky supply pipe can also be indicated by increased water bills or a sound like water dripping inside walls.

Causes

There are many reasons why leaks may occur. A single pipe may be damaged or the joint may become weaker, but if the damage is widespread you may need to replace all the pipes. Sometimes leaks can occur when the wrong pipe type is used. For example, PVC pipes are sometimes used instead of PEX hot water supply pipes.

4. Sediment Issues

Most likely, no one wants to turn the tap to find discolored water containing grit sediment. You can see signs of sediment in your water such as brown or orange discoloration and metal flicks or other gritty substances. If there is an increase in sediment, faucet aerator screens can also clog.

Causes

If the sediment problems don’t impact your neighbors, you might have a problem with the municipal source. Most often, sediment is caused by rusting or corroding pipes. It could result from degradation of pipes or soil getting into the water line through a leak or loose pipe joint.

5. Loud Noises

If you turn on the water, shake and rattling sounds are not a good sign. This could indicate that the pressure valves aren’t working properly or that pipes are damaged. Another sign that pipe movement has occurred is a loud banging or hammering sound at the water tap shut off.

Causes

Broken attachments and pressure valve problems are the most common causes of noisy pipes. You can fix the problem by catching it early. However, eventually, pipes will break and shake free from the vibrations that are causing the noise. Replacement is the best option.

For more information about replacing pipes in your house, contact Clog Kings plumbing LLC.

This post was written by Joey Denick. Joey is the Owner and Operator of Clog Kings. At Clog Kings, LLC, we pride ourselves on our dedication and efficiency. We know you don’t have time to waste. That’s why we work fast to get your home or commercial building back up and running in no time. If you are looking for cast iron pipelining then look no further because we got you covered!