As a home ages, there may be more plumbing problems than there were before – and that’s to be expected. For some homeowners in Sydney though, plumbing isn’t high on their list of priorities; at least until they find themselves facing a problem they can’t fix on their own.
It’s always advisable to call a professional plumbing services Sydney contractor to repair something if you’re not sure you’ll be able to handle it yourself. For example, you might feel comfortable replacing the washer in a faucet, but aren’t too confident in your ability to change a leaky pipe under the sink.
However, as with many other things, prevention is better than cure, and you could save yourself money in the long run by replacing or upgrading the pipes in your plumbing system. That way, you won’t have to deal with the problems that usually arise from old, loose, or weak pipes. But how will you know it’s time for that update? Here are some signs to look out for.
Low Water Pressure
If you experience low water pressure, you’ll want to check your water heater first to see if it’s still in good working condition. That’s because a water heater malfunction could lead to a sudden decrease in water pressure, so fixing the heater should bring the pressure back up. If your water heater is working fine, though, that’s an early sign of plumbing problems – and a sign that it’s time to change your pipes.
Low water pressure can indicate a leaky pipe or pipes. If your plumbing system uses iron pipes, it’s highly likely that there’s a build-up of rust inside said pipes. This can lead to clogging, which then leads to lower pressure too.
Slow or Clogged Drains
Speaking of clogging, this is the next sign that it may be time to upgrade your pipes. By itself, a clogged drain isn’t a big issue, but the underlying cause could be more serious than you think. Sometimes, a clogged drain is just that, and the clog was caused by debris that found its way into the pipes until it all built up.
Other times, though, slow-draining or clogged drains occur because of a venting problem in your pipes. Usually, this is because of damaged or blocked vents, or plant and tree roots that punctured a drain pipe and thereby causing a blockage. Whatever the cause, it’s best to call a professional to assess the problem and decide on the best course of action, especially if replacing the pipes is one of your options.
Leaking Pipes
Unlike the first two signs, leaky pipes aren’t immediately obvious because there are very few warning signs. The most obvious ones are signs of moisture on pipes, and wet spots in places you wouldn’t expect them to be – for example, on the floor or a wall that isn’t anywhere near your bathroom or kitchen. Most pipes will be inside the walls, so you can’t always spot moisture on them. Check the pipes you can easily get to, though, like those under sinks.
If you see condensation or moist spots on those pipes, as well as unexplainable wet spots or water pooling in places they otherwise don’t, it’s high time to update your home’s plumbing system.
