The plumbing system in our homes and businesses almost always gives us dependable service—until it doesn’t. Then, when something does go wrong, we realize just how much we depend on a reliable plumbing system. It’s therefore smart to know why plumbing systems do fail, so that we can know how keep failure from taking place.
Below are three main reasons plumbing systems fail.
They get old.
Like everything else, plumbing parts can wear out. So you need to be aware of any plumbing fixtures in your home that are old, because they are the most likely to give you problems.
Any home with a plumbing system (mainly its piping) that’s more than 40 years old should be replaced entirely.
Problems with the water.
These problems can come in several forms – one is water pressure that is too high, and another is poor quality of the water.
Professional plumbers advise that the water pressure in your home should not exceed 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If your water pressure is too high, it can lead to damage of various parts of your plumbing system. For example, high water pressure can lead to wear and tear on faucets, causing them to drip. It can also adversely affect your water heater, leading to greater expansion and contraction.
If you see your garden hose ballooning a little because of bubbles, this is a sign of water pressure that is too high.
So it’s definitely worth taking the time to check on your water pressure if you want to extend the life of your plumbing system. Next time you have a plumber out to your home to fix a problem, ask him to check the water pressure.
Another problem related to water is water quality. Water contains various dissolved minerals, along with things such as iron. Water also can be acidic. Over time, these substances in the water can take a toll on plumbing components such as faucets and toilets. To be safe, it is always a good idea to get an analysis of your water done to see what materials are in it. If you find that it has higher than normal levels of certain substances, you will need to take some corrective action.
They are not repaired.
Not properly maintaining plumbing systems is also a leading cause of failure. Just as you take your car in for its 3,000-mile checkup, you need to do the same for your plumbing system and get it checked regularly to make sure there are no problems.
And when you do have a problem, don’t let it linger, because it can affect the entire system if allowed to fester long enough.
Plumbing Dynamics offers repairs as well as regular maintenance of your home or business plumbing system. Keep major emergencies at bay (burst pipe, anyone?) and contact us to make an appointment. Give us a call at 214-929-3431.
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