Water lines are one of the most essential features in your home. They are among the core components that make your home habitable. Damaged water lines not only affect the comfort and sanitation of your home but also impair its structural integrity, says MTD Management.
Yet despite their overwhelming importance to our overall well-being, water lines do not get enough attention when homeowners do routine maintenance for their homes. That is because we often take the water lines in our homes for granted.
But just like other features of your home, water lines degrade and become less efficient as they get older. The rate at which this happens depends on the type of pipe material and the water quality in your area, among other things.
The older a water line is, the more brittle the pipes become and the more vulnerable the system is to the following problems:
Water line leaks
Leaks are the most common water line problem. They can happen in any location where there are water pipes. Leaks range from minor to severe and may happen openly or in hidden parts of the house. The worst water line leaks occur inside the walls or floors of the home or in the main water line.
Pipe corrosion
Over time, the materials of a water line can start to wear away. That is due to the constant movement of water and other materials through the pipe. Corrosion is highest in locations with hard water or where the water has a lot of sediments inside it.
Clogged water lines
Mineral deposits and other debris can build up within a water line and clog it. Again, this problem is more common in areas with hard water or lots of sediment in the water supply. Metal water pipes are highly susceptible to clogging because they tend to rust.
Consequences of neglecting your water lines
While it is not possible to stop your water line from aging, it is possible to minimize the impact of aging on the system. You do this through a comprehensive water line maintenance program. In the absence of that, you may expect the following problems in your home.
Water wastage and higher water bills
The tiniest leak in your water line can inflate your water bill by hundreds of dollars yearly. Water line leaks also pressure scarce natural resources and stretch city infrastructures.
Drywall damage
Hidden water leaks in the walls, flooring, or ceilings can destroy your drywall. Leaky pipes also damage wall paint and insulation. They can impair the aesthetics of your home by leaving watermarks on the walls and ceilings.
Water outage
A severe pipe break may cut off your water supply. That commonly happens when you have a frozen and burst pipe in the home or a leak in your main water line. Aging is more likely to burst and disrupt your water supply.
Undetected leaks from aging and broken water lines are a major cause of structural damage to homes.
Health hazards and unsanitary conditions
Water leaks pose a major challenge to your family’s health. If soil and other contaminants enter the water supply through a break in the line, it can expose you to waterborne diseases. Water leaks attract pests to your home, and a water outage can create unsanitary conditions.
Low water pressure
Sediment buildup within pipes, which increases with aging, narrows pipe channels, reducing the volume of water available at your plumbing fixtures. Low water pressure harms home appliances and can impair your ability to do everyday things like bathing, washing dishes, or doing the laundry.
Structural damage
Undetected leaks from aging and broken water lines are a major cause of structural damage to homes. Leaky underground pipes, for instance, can discharge water into the base of your building, resulting in foundation problems. Underground water leaks can damage driveways, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces.
Electrical wiring issues
Water leaks, especially inside the walls of your home, are a leading cause of house fires. Water from a broken pipe can compromise your home’s electrical circuit by bridging the electrical connections. It poses a tremendous risk of property loss or damage and loss of life.
Costly repairs
Water damage due to aging pipes is a common and expensive problem. It can impact your home in numerous ways, from mold growth to pest infestation, property damage, and ill health. Fixing the problems caused by water damage is rarely cheap.
Decreased property value
Problems resulting from aging and damaged water lines can mark your home permanently, causing its value to depreciate. Buyers are always wary of homes with severe water damage or where the water lines are old and prone to damage.
Fortunately, you can avoid the above by creating and following a simple maintenance schedule for your water lines. This program should include a plan for yearly water line inspections by a professional plumber. That will let you detect problems before they occur, allowing you to stay steps ahead of the issues in the system.