How to Tell When You Need Pipe Repair

06/08/2015

The pipes in your home are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. After all, it wouldn’t be very aesthetically pleasing to have pipes visibly running along every wall, floor, and ceiling of your house. While it is certainly convenient for these pipes to be out of sight, however, it isn’t all that great for detecting problems with them. Homeowners typically have a very difficult time detecting pipe problems before they become serious, resulting in higher repair bills. If you know what to look for, though, you can catch some pipe problems early enough to save money. Read on for some signs that you need pipe repair.

Discolored Water

This is a sign of oxidization in the pipes somewhere. If you’ve got red or brown water coming out of your taps, somewhere in your system is a pipe with advanced rust. The longer the discoloration lasts after turning on the tap, the more advanced the rust. You should call a professional as soon as you notice this to have your plumbing inspected. If the rust isn’t taken care of, it can cause a pipe rupture.

Calcium Deposits

Hard water is water with a higher than normal mineral content. Over years of flowing through your pipes, hard water will deposit small amounts of minerals on the inner walls. These minerals will eventually build up into lime scale, which restricts the flow of water through the pipe. Often, advanced lime scale causes the entire pipe to need replacing. If you notice a white, chalky substance around your faucet heads, or in your shower, that’s a sign that you have a hard water problem. You should have a professional take a look at your pipes, to make sure that they don’t have lime scale. If they do, they might be able to be cleaned out before the scale solidifies and requires a pipe replacement.

If you think you need pipe repair, call Rooter Man. We provide pipe repair services throughout Albany, NY.