No one wants to think about how old their pipes are. You probably even came into this blog feeling defensive. We get it: Pipe replacement sounds expensive and inconvenient. There are good reasons why you should consider finding out how old your pipes are, however.

Being proactive about taking care of plumbing always pays off in the end. A little maintenance now could save you from a big bill later. Depending on what you find, you could learn that you’re using more water and money than you should be, or even that your tap water is dangerous! Here’s how you can tell if your pipes are old, the problems old pipes present, and what you should do if you find out you have them.

How Can I Tell If My Pipes Are Old?

None of these symptoms is a “smoking gun,” by any means, but if you’re having several or all of these problems, it may be because your pipes are old and compromised.

More Frequent Clogs

Even if you have a water softener and copper or PVC piping, minerals, dirt, and other materials will eventually build up on the inside of pipe walls. Unfortunately, even high-quality pipes corrode over a long enough period of time. These two problems can compound on each other, when minerals collect in grooves and ledges created by corrosion.

Trouble Unclogging

It’s particularly likely you have old pipes if you struggle to clear clogs. If you feel like you only ever partially succeed in unclogging a toilet or sink clog, no matter how thoroughly you plunge, it could be because the clog is deep in an old pipe.

Low Water Pressure

Minerals and corrosion in old pipes constrict the waterways used to transport water through your pipes. To make it to your faucets, water has to work harder to squeeze through constricted pipes, wasting pressure. The result is water that doesn’t flow strongly and consistently, or a faucet that only dribbles or won’t function at all.

Higher Water Bill

Along with wasting water pressure, corrosion in old pipes force water appliances like the dishwasher, tub, shower, and washing machine to use more water to do their jobs. More water means a higher water bill. If you’ve noticed an uptick in your water bill, and you feel like you haven’t been using more water than usual, it could be that your pipes are making it hard for your water to reach you.

Piping Leaks

Home plumbing pipes are under a lot of pressure and strain. Pressurized water shoots through them at high speeds constantly. Over time, the friction generated by the fast-moving, pressurized water wears away at the inner walls of your pipes. Over a long enough time, the pipe wall might wear away entirely, creating a hairline fracture. As water leaks out of the fracture, it’ll expand, becoming a bigger and bigger leak.

If your pipes seem to spring a lot of leaks, it could be because their inner walls have worn away from long, constant use.

Water Discoloration

If your pipes are particularly corroded, flowing water can actually strip compromised metal off the inner walls and carry it out through your faucet. More obviously, if your water is rust-colored, tastes metallic, or has visible flecks of metal floating in it, your pipes are corroded.

If you have discolored water, you should contact us immediately. Water from old pipes can be dangerous to drink or use in appliances.

Your House is Old

It sounds obvious, but if you live in an old house, it’s likely your pipes are just as old. If your house was built before the 1960’s, you should have your water tested and call a plumber to inspect your pipes as soon as you start noticing problems. Pipes installed during and before the 1960’s may contain lead components in their construction. These pipes should be removed and replaced immediately.

What Should I Do About Old Pipes?

Don’t panic, and give us a call. Even if you have several of these symptoms, we may not need to totally replace your plumbing system. You may have a tree root lodged in your sewer line, an underground leak, or a utility pipe dislocation. All of these problems are invisible without a professional consultation, and they can all look like old pipes.

Even if you do need new pipes, you have options. Ben Franklin technicians will run you through your particular situation and work with you to come up with a solution that works for your time frame, budget, and needs. Remember: it’s always better to deal with problems now than to wait for them to compound.

If your pipes were installed correctly, you use a water softener, and your water isn’t too pressurized, your home’s pipes should last a lifetime. Even build-up and minor corrosion can be dealt with without extensive repair work if you call it in fast enough. And even if you end up needing to replace your pipes completely, you’d get to enjoy the substantial benefits of new pipes once all is said and done. You’ll even improve your home’s resale value!

If you’re worried about the state of your pipes, give us a call today. We can tell you exactly what’s wrong and what can be done about it, fast.

The post Signs your Pipes are Getting Old and What to Do About It appeared first on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.