Pipes in your plumbing system are designed to last for many years, but like any other component of your home, they will wear out sooner or later. Olympia, WA is a rainy community, and rust and corrosion can seep into even the toughest plumbing systems. If you’re a homeowner in the area, you should be prepared to replace pipes when needed by calling on a reputable plumber who knows how to do the job right. But when do pipes need replacing? Here’s a few tips to help you answer that question.
Leaks and Rust
The most obvious sign, of course, is when leaks spring up, particularly if they recur over and over again in the same spot in your plumbing. Sometimes it can be an imperfect weld or a flawed length of pipe that causes it. But it can also be cause by rust and pitted corrosion along the length of the pipe. That rust can spell trouble even if there hasn’t been a leak. Signs of corrosion mean that the pipe will eventually breach, and you’d be well advised to replace it before it ruptures. You should also look for discolored water, which often signals flakes of rust and other contaminants from the inside of your pipes getting into your water. (If the discoloration only appears when you turn on the hot water, it might be the water heater with the trouble.)
Lead Pipes
Lead pipes are fairly uncommon these days; they’re not safe and don’t meet up with current health codes. But if you have an older house, then lead pipes may still be present, and it behooves you to get them replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, you or your family may be experiencing a health risk.
Whatever the reason, turn to Brook Plumbing and its team of trained professionals to replace any faulty pipes in your home!
