Your water line serves an important role in your household or commercial property. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy an instant supply of fresh water for all your various appliances, your sinks, or even your showers. While you may not commonly see your water line, it plays a major part in your enjoyment of modern day conveniences. It is important that this aspect of your plumbing be kept in good condition to ensure you can continue to enjoy this necessity!
What are some threats to your water line you should know about? We cover a few of the major enemies of your water line below. Whether you are a commercial property owner or just purchased your first home, keeping these dangers in mind can help you prevent a major plumbing disaster down the road.
Top 5 Leading Causes of Water Line Problems
Your water line is the pipe that runs from the municipal water supply to the plumbing system in your home or place of business. Essentially, it is responsible for delivering all the water you use on your property. From cooking and cleaning to watering the lawn and showering, it is crucial that this water line remains in top condition.
Some of the most serious you should keep an eye out for:
- Trees – One of the biggest threats to your water line are tree roots. When roots grow, they naturally move towards sources of water. This can lead to roots
moving towards your water line and wrapping around the pipes or penetrating weaker parts, causing bursts. - Limescale – If you have hard water, which is water with high magnesium and calcium content, it can start to build up on your pipes over time, creating limescale. In some cases, the limescale can become so bad that it restricts water flow and even become permanently hardened on pipes.
- Pitting corrosion – Certain chemicals (such as chlorine) used to keep municipal water supplies fresh can cause damage to your water line, resulting in pitting corrosion. This can create a weakened patch on your pipe, which can eventually lead to a small, pinhole leak. While small, the leak can still lead to significant expenses and high water bills.
- Older pipes – According to the National Association of Water Companies, nearly half the pipes in the U.S. are considered to be in poor shape. The older your pipes are, the more susceptible they are to a burst, which can create serious damage. Keeping up with the age of your pipes can help you know when to get them replaced. The average age of a broken water main is 47 years according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Poor soil conditions – If your soil conditions are bad, such as soil that has low resistivity and high chloride content, it may lead to corrosion of your pipes from the outside. This may then result in leaks and contamination of your water supply. Clay soils are known to be some of the most corrosive.
These are just a few of the main threats you need to know about. If you are concerned about your water line or need some serious repairs done, you know where to turn! bluefrog Plumbing + Drain makes sure you get the right fix for the right price, so do not hesitate to give us a call today.
