Pipe Repair | How to Know When Your Pipes Need Restoration?

Whether you are a home owner, property manager or own a commercial property, knowing when you need pipe repair for your pipe system is important to maintaining your property’s health.  Pipe systems do not last forever. If not well maintained, corrosion and mineral deposits can occur, leading your pipes to pinhole leaks and eventually water damage.  Do you want to risk a possible flood or even worse raw sewage in your home that could cause thousands of dollars in damage to your building and belongings?

Know your pipes

Depending on the type of pipes you have installed in your building, it could determine how soon you would need a pipe repair.  Older pipes are more likely in need of pipe repair compared to newly installed pipe systems.  Often in only a couple of years a newly installed copper pipe system will form corrosion cells that will eventually lead to pinhole leaks.  Different types of pipes have different lengths of life expectancy’s/ problems. Knowing in advance the types of pipes you have will determine how fast your pipes could corrode.

In the early 1900’s, lead containing copper pipes were commonly used in pipe systems.   While these were durable, lead leached in the water making it toxic and harmful to our health.

Polybutylene pipes were used from the 1970s to the 1990s.  These pipes were found to be less reliable and did not have the endurance of the pipe systems used today.

The Signs

Early detection and timely pipe repair can prevent damage. Here are a few things to look out for that could be signs of your pipe system having a leak or clog.

Leaks & Discoloration

Having wet or discolored walls and floors is a sign you need to call an expert to look at your pipe system. Water leaks can also cause mold or mildew damage, which is expensive to remediate.  Discoloration, stains, dimpling, pimples, or flaking, are all indications of water leaks due to pipe corrosion.

Poor Water Quality

Rusty, cloudy or smelly odor coming from your tap water is a major sign of pipe corrosion and has contaminated your water, making it unsafe to drink.  You need your pipe restored as soon as possible as this is a sign of serious pipe corrosion that is harmful to the health.

No Water

Water failing to come out of your faucet, washing machine, or dish washer, etc., it is an indication your pipes could be blocked due to mineral deposits.  Call a professional for pipe repair and restore functioning.

 

Early detection of any plumbing system defects can prevent future property damage and costly pipe repair. You would want to find the right plumber for your project.