Homes are filled with various types of pipes that each serve their own purpose. Eventually, these pipes might start to malfunction because of a blockage or because they’re old. In this article, you’ll discover five vital signs you should pay attention to that indicate you need to replace or repair them.

5 Signs Your Pipes Need to Be Replaced or Repaired

  1. They are Corroded
    • One of the biggest signs that you need to replace or repair your pipes is that they are corroded. Corrosion is caused by oxidation which gradually occurs over time. Because the pipes start to crumble, they can cause leaks that not only can cause foundational damage, but can contaminate your water as well. You can usually tell if your pipes are corroded by tasting the water. If it has a strange metallic taste they’re probably crumbling.
  2. They Aren’t Draining Correctly
    • Another sign you need to check your pipes is that there isn’t proper drainage. If you hear gurgling sounds or find that water is taking a long time to drain, there is probably a problem with the pipes.
  3. The Walls Have Water Stains
    • Water stains are a tell-tale sign that there is a serious pipe issue going on. Bluish-green spots around plumbing fixtures or on the roof and walls show that the pipes are leaking acidic water. While they might not seem like a big deal, water stains can rapidly spread and cause not only damage to your home, but health as well.
  4. There are Strong Sewer Odors
    • If you happen to smell a strong sewer-like aroma in your home, it’s probably due to a bad pipe, like the p-trap. The p-trap is a u-shaped pipe that not only traps debris, but prevents odors from escaping through the pipe. Because of this, if you start to smell these odors, there’s more than likely a clog somewhere in the pipe that needs to be repaired.
  5. The Water Pressure is Extremely Low
    • Good water pressure is crucial because it helps to prevent pipes from exploding and keeps water flowing through them so that the taps don’t dry out. Low water pressure can be caused by numerous things, but it’s usually due to clogged pipes.

Normal water pressure should be around 30-80 PSI. Anything beneath this is very low and is an indicator that you either need to replace or repair a pipe.

These five signs are some of the most revealing indications that something is wrong with your pipes. If you’re concerned that you might need to replace or repair pipes in your home, give Redwood Sewer & Drain a call. We’ll not only work to find the source of the problem, but fix it so that it never happens again.