No matter how well the plumber installed pipes when a home or building was constructed, plumbing problems are inevitable at some time in a building’s life. While some problems such as a leaky tap are relatively minor, major plumbing problems can lead to big expenses if walls, floors or ceilings were damaged as a result.
Corroded Pipes
Pipes that are old may be out of sight and out of mind until a mysterious leak occurs. Old plumbing materials such as iron and galvanized steel eventually corrode, leading to pinhole leaks or restricted water flow inside the pipes. Galvanized pipes were commonly used in construction before World War II but may be found in many homes well into the 1950s and later. If you’re unsure of the quality or age of the pipes in your home, check the shutoff valves and faucets. If these look like ancient relics (or if there are no shutoff valves at fixtures), the pipes likely are, too.
City Sewer Collapse
A sewage backup that works its way into your home is arguably one of the most disgusting potential plumbing problems. It could be the result of corroding or collapsed sewer pipes outside the home. Old sewer pipes made of materials such as asbestos and concrete can collapse over time, resulting in sewage that flows along the path of least resistance, including up through a home’s drains. The damaged pipe may be the sanitary sewer line, which is the responsibility of the city or other jurisdiction. Homeowners are responsible only for the sewer lateral — the line connecting a home to the main sewer line.
Tree Roots
Because it’s hard to see what’s going on underground as far as tree and shrub roots are concerned, it may be difficult to know just how far those roots reach and what they affect beneath the soil. Tree roots sometimes work their way into pipe joints, causing leaks or complete blockages in sewer pipes. This may result in sewage backup through floor drains. An auger chews away the tree root within the pipe, but roots grow back. Chemical root killers are used by some professionals. If the damage is severe enough, the pipe may require complete replacement, and that requires digging up your yard.
Pipe Burst
Pipes burst or leak for a number of reasons, including a pipe connection that has come undone. Since many pipes in a home are hidden within walls or between floors, when a leak occurs, it may mean water coming down from a first-floor ceiling beneath a bathroom or down the top of a wall beneath the leak. Repair involves tearing out the damaged area, as well as looking between walls or floors to determine the origin of the leak.
If you experience any of the above problems, give us call 011 762 8860 or book a service.
The problem is that many of these problems are not obvious to the naked eye – problems often occur underground or in walls. S60 Rapid can help to ensure you’re never caught unawares. Get a plumbing maintenance contract today – save time and money.