Plumbing systems are rarely easy to replace. Some people will need to partly remodel their homes to make this possible. Plumbers may have to temporarily open a wall in order to alter the system of pipes that the residents use. Still, if people want their plumbing systems to be reliable, they might have to consider a process like this.
A professional plumber will still try to make things somewhat easier for you when you’re going through the trouble of having your entire plumbing system improved. They’ll talk to you about the cost to hire a plumber and try to work out a way that you can make these changes more affordable for you.
The bathroom plumbing design of certain spaces might be complicated. Plumbers may have to lift and go into the bathroom floor as well when they’re trying to fix the way the full plumbing system functions. An above-average plumbing service may be able to find solutions that don’t involve certain forms of home renovation. You may find professionals like these when going on a search for local plumber companies in my area. These organizations frequently want clients who will ask for help with maintenance and plumbing repairs again.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve had a pipe inspection in your home, you may be about due. Pipe inspection can be very non invasive these days, using a camera pipe inspection. This is when a camera is fitted onto a flexible rod and fed down your drains in order to see what condition your pipes are in. If you do need drain repairs and new pipes even, it will be since on the video screen as the camera gives the plumber a good look at the pipes. However, even getting a plumber in to take a look can be a hard thing to do, when you don’t know what to look for. Here are a few ways to know if you need a pipe inspection in the near future:
- Hardware
Take a look at the hardware of your sinks and showers. If it is very difficult to clean or rust is starting to show up, it is probably time to invest in some new faucets. Old hardware not only looks bad in a bathroom or kitchen, but it can be hazardous to your health. If there are bits of metal chipping off and without your knowledge, get caught in the water stream, swallowing it could be very dangerous. Calcium build up on the faucets can also be a problem. While this may not be dangerous and can be cleaned off with a vinegar solution, it still shows signs of age. Newer faucets and hardware usually come equipped with a sealant that repels hard water droplets and calcium build up so that you don’t even have to deal with that.
- Leaks
Leaks and bad waterlines are an obvious sign of your need for a upgrade. A lot of times, what happens with older sinks and tubs is that when you turn them on, water will leak out from around the fixture or even out of the bottom, onto the floor. This shows that the seals are no long intact. This often happens at the base of the toilet as well so keep an eye out for that. Leaks should not be ignored, even if you think they are not a big deal because not only do they show you that something is wrong with your plumbing, but leaks can lead to mold and mildew and other problems that a simple pipe repair can not fix. You might as well tackle one problem before it comes several.
- Drainage
If you drains take a long time to filter the water down, this isn’t a good sign. IF you have tried unsuccessfully to unclog your showers or sinks or bathrubs and nothing seems to work, now would be a good time for a pipe inspection. Slow drainage or standing water can indicate blockages further down in the pipes than over the counter drain cleaners can reach. If you find yourself have to deal with clogs over and over again, this is another indication that there is a bigger problem afoot.
- Water Volume
If you feel like your shower pressure seems to be getting weaker and weaker without explanation, this could mean that your pipes are corroding. Galvanized steel pipes tend to degrade over a period of time and as the diameter narrows, the water volume decreases, causing weaker water pressure. This doesn’t only affect showers, it does happen in toilets, sinks and tubs but the shower is the most noticeable place where you can watch for it. You’ll notice it right away with showers and can deal with the problem before it gets to be too big of an issue.
- Mold
This was mentioned a little bit earlier, but if you see mold in your bathroom, this shows that there has been an excess of moisture. This could simply mean that your ventilation or exhaust fan is not working properly or it could be an indication that there is water running somewhere that it shouldn’t be; especially if the mold is on the ceiling or upper walls. Often times, there can be leaks in the pipe that spill out behind the walls causing mold and mildew to collect.
If you have any of these problems, you should call a professional plumber and let them fix it before it gets worse.