When it comes to your home’s plumbing, it can be difficult to know when things are going wrong. Nestled inside of your walls and under the ground, your plumbing system isn’t readily visible. Often, by the time people realize that there’s a problem, it’s because of a major incident.
Usually, problems in your plumbing start as leaks. Leaks can be a result of damage from tree roots, shifting ground, burrowing animals, pressure from built-up minerals and waste, freezing temperatures, or rusted or worn pipes. Even though these internal problems are invisible, there are still external signals that can tip you off.
Creaking Floorboards
Even a very small leak can lead to major water damage issues if it’s left unchecked. Small leaks can easily lead to larger leaks, and if the leak is due to age-related deterioration in the pipes, there could many other leaks as well. Additionally, leaks and dampness inside of your walls and floor can lead to damage and corrosion of the house’s structure. Worst of all, dampness can easily lead to a mold problem, which is difficult to eradicate, and can even pose a health risk for your family.
When water gets on wood, it can cause the wood to expand and contract. It can also contribute to rusted nails. So, if you notice newly creaking floorboards, especially in your bathroom or laundry room, take note and get your pipes inspected.
Low Water Pressure
Sometimes, low water pressure is due to something simple, like water running in another area of the house, or even hard water buildup at the faucet. However, if you’re only using water in one area, the faucets are clean, and you’re still experiencing low water pressure, it could mean that the water is leaking out elsewhere and compromising the pressure.
Pressure can greatly differ from one house to another, and even from one faucet (or showerhead) to another. However, if you’re experiencing a big change in pressure, it could be a danger sign.
Water Stains and Wet Spots
Even a very slow leak can create water stains and wet spots in your home. It might manifest itself as a dark spot on the wall, or a stain in the upper corner of a room. This internal moisture is often caused by the same thing as the creaking floorboards: water changes the chemical composition of your home’s structures and can lead to bigger and bigger problems.
Get an In-Line Inspection
In order to see what’s going on inside of your pipes, we utilize in-line inspections, wherein a small camera scope is affixed to a tube that we can maneuver through key areas in the plumbing system. This allows us to see the cause of your problems, and to take measures to clear up your pipes and make repairs as needed. If it’s time for an in-line inspection for your home, give us a call.