Plumbing problems rarely have the courtesy to announce themselves with firework displays.
There is no sudden deluge, no grabbing of towels, and no instant in which everything suddenly clogs.
In fact, plumbing problems have the tendency to creep into our lives in quiet, almost courteous ways.
They are the change we notice once and then promptly forget. They are the sounds we hear once and then don’t hear at all. They are the smells we think will go away on their own.
The key to the expense of hidden plumbing problems is not the repair itself, but the delay it causes.
A slow-developing problem may spread beyond the pipes themselves. Moisture may seep into the walls or flooring.
Pressures may erode the fittings over time. Small failures may quietly undermine the surrounding materials.
A problem that finally requires fixing is rarely isolated or uncomplicated by then.
When a Small Leak Isn’t So Small After All
One of the biggest dangers of a slow leak is how easy it is to underestimate, partly because a slow leak doesn’t present an immediate problem.
There is no puddle to spot, nor a dripping sound to make a decision necessary. It is simply water leaking out where it shouldn’t, but doing so quietly and imperceptibly.
And that, in turn, is exactly what reliable plumbing professionals such as Koala Plumbing, can encounter repeatedly: A homeowner detects something minor, say, a faint damp smell or a cabinet base that appears to have warped ever so slightly, and thinks, “No worries, it must be nothing.”
Only to find that, when they do locate the source of the problem, it turns out that it has been ongoing far longer than they ever would have thought.
Slow leaks have a way of seeping from joints, fittings, and areas where the pipe has deteriorated from years of pressure and stress.
The slow flow doesn’t allow it to flow to a place where it is easily visible; it hides where it is not wanted. It is absorbed by wood, hugged by insulation, and soaked up by plaster.
A “small” plumbing problem can have repercussions beyond the pipe itself.
Pipes Usually Deteriorate Unnoticeably
You should know that pipes never fail without giving signs before it. Corrosion is normal, it is part of the process, but the problem is that you cannot notice that easily. You should know exactly what to look for.
The flows become limited due constant exposure to water, chemistry minerals and oxygen. They react with the pipe’s materials and cause damage over time.
The questions – what are the early signs we should pay attention to? It can be something minor as a slight dip in water pressure or water with a strange hint of cloudiness.
Maybe you will notice a pinhole leak in one location, and then, after a few months, another pinhole leak can appear in another location.
While each of these symptoms can be treated in isolation, they can more likely point to a larger, more complex issue.
If your home is large, old or both – the risks are much higher. The problem is not construction itself – it is about their design and materials used.
Maybe they are not suitable for today’s world needs anymore. And that is ok. Plumbing systems are prone to natural wear and tear, the need for water usage is increased, we treat water with different treatment processes to improve its quality… All these factors contribute to the situation.
What we can do is to detect the problem early and upgrade our plumbing system before real trouble happens.
Changes in Water Pressure that are Cause for Concern
Water pressure is one of those things that you’re aware of, but you don’t think much about. A weaker shower.
A faucet that doesn’t feel quite right. Pressure that comes and goes for reasons you’re unaware of. Many times, these types of changes in water condition are dismissed or attributed to some transient or exterior factor.
However, many times these types of issues are a direct result of issues within a home’s plumbing system.
Water that comes out at a low pressure may be a sign of issues within a home’s plumbing system, including interior blockages or leaks that are siphoning off water prior to it reaching a fixture.
Water that comes out at a wildly inconsistent rate may be a sign of issues with regulators or development. Water that comes out at a very high rate may be a source of frustration for some, but it is a source of constant wear on a home’s plumbing system.
The U.S. EPA points out that excessive household water pressure is one of the biggest causes of hidden leaks and unnecessary water wastage, even if leaks are not readily apparent.
This excessive water pressure can also prematurely age everything connected to a system over time.
Something that may be a mild inconvenience today may be a costly repair bill tomorrow.
Drain Problems Indicating Something is Rotten
A slow drain is not usually a pressing concern. As long as it does drain, it’s easy to just go on with one’s day. But if issues with draining tend to be cyclical, it could be a symptom of underlying issues.
The pipes could constrict as well, which means they will get smaller because of the mineral deposits or because of the biological materials that are collected inside those pipes.
Lastly, those underground pipes could move because the earth could move as well, and tree roots could move because they are trying to get to water.
The reason for the changes is that the changes are occurring very slowly, which means the symptoms associated with the changes are developing very slowly, hence the changes come and go, as mentioned in the article.
If problems are occurring with more than one fixture, then this is a clear sign that the entire system is not functioning as well as it should.
In order to prevent any large problems, it is important to understand how the plumbing system fits into the overall system of the house.
Shut-Off Valves That Have Not Been Tested Since Installation
Shut off valves are intended to provide a safety net. They’re intended to provide a system whereby a homeowner is in control in case something goes wrong.
The problem is, these valves are never tested. They’re left alone for years, even decades.
This can, over time, lead to the seizing of the valve. If, however, a leak does develop, and the valve will not turn, or it will break when it is turned, things can very easily escalate out of control.
What is intended to be an easily controlled repair can, very quickly, turn into a race to keep up with an expanding water leak.
It does not take a lot of time to check your valves from time to time; this is also a task which is easily neglected since nothing seems to be wrong until it is.
Moisture, Which Affects More than Surfaces
Plumbing problems that have not been identified often lead to moisture in areas it should not be present in.
The walls and floors may be left with this moisture even after the source of the leak has been fixed.
At some point, this causes an environment in which mold growth becomes possible even when there are no obvious signs.
For example, a homeowner may experience musty odors that never go away or a change in their level of comfort inside their home.
Unfortunately, they are likely unaware that this smell can be related to the plumbing system.
Moisture is a very serious and unpleasant problem as it moves, spreads and affects everything in the house. If you want to stop it, you need to control the source.
If you are not sure what to do to prevent any water damage in your home, here is how to do it efficiently and quickly.
Other Plumbing Materials of an Earlier Time which May Produce Risks in the
There are many homes that have plumbing materials installed decades ago, yet they are functioning well.
This, however, does not mean that they have a high tolerance to pressure, mineral, and other changes over a long period of time.
Such outdated items can create problems in insurance claims as well as in property inspections.
More importantly, outdated items are likely to stop working without giving any prior signs of impending doom.
Well-thought-out updates, done well in advance of impending problems, are usually far less intrusive compared to reactive updates done in a hurry.
Promptness Matters More Than Most People Think
Plumbing problems rarely occur alone; they have a way to spread to other areas.
One problem can cause many areas of damage if left alone. Homeowners who are attuned to such subtle changes will, in general, avoid the more disrupting kinds of emergencies.
Not because they are skittish at the slightest change, but because they are more likely to notice something being “not quite right” as opposed to waiting until something is damaged.
Plumbing is something that doesn’t grab attention very often, but when it does, it is rarely for insignificant reasons.
“Being overly cautious” is clearly not what getting things early is really about. “It is about understanding that when things finally grab one’s attention, it is because those ‘silent’ ones tend to be costly.”
