4 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Old Pipes

Posted on Dec 8 2019 - 8:52am by Editorial Staff

No matter how much you paid for your plumbing system, the pipes are the lifeblood that keeps it running. Therefore, if your pipes are not functioning properly, your system will not provide your home with optimal functionality. Rather than waiting until a disaster requires that you take action, the following is a short list of signs that it is time to replace your old pipes.  

Water Quality

Image via Flickr by Muhammad Ali

One of the top ways to know it’s time to replace your pipes is by the fact that you have poor water quality. While this can occasionally be the result of issues with your water company, if you have ruled this out, your poor water quality is likely due to your old pipes. Water that is discolored, emits an unpleasant odor, or any other abnormality in your water could be due to the fact that you need to totally replace your pipes.  

Lack of Water Volume

Another common sign that you need to replace your pipes is that your water volume has decreased. For instance, if you notice that your faucet seems to only trickle water when it used to spray out full-blast, or if you notice that your shower pressure has decreased over time, this is an indication that you are having issues with water volume. This is typically caused by corroded pipes, which obstruct the free flow of water. If you have noticed that your water volume has decreased over time, and have ruled out other possible causes, it may be time to totally replace your pipes. 

Slow Draining

While you may think a slow drain means that your pipes are clogged by some unknown substance or object, this may actually be a sign that your pipes need to be replaced. Corroded pipes tend to drain much slower than those that are clean and fully functional. A lack of venting is another reason why older pipes may start to drain more slowly. If you notice that all the drains in your home seem to be sluggish without explanation, it may be time to replace your pipes.  

Rusty Pipes

Lastly, if your pipes are visibly rusty and corroded, it is definitely time to replace them. Although they may seem to still be working properly, they may be causing any number of the above issues, and will eventually have issues such as leaks and other malfunctions. Rather than waiting until they are no longer functional, or cause a disaster, start looking into replacing them as soon as possible.  If you are concerned that your pipes are not functioning properly, it is best to consult with a reputable plumbing professional. While it may be tempting to try to diagnose the problem on your own, a well-trained plumber can quickly assess the issue as well as advise you of your options to have it fixed. No matter if your system seems to be working fine or not, if you are experiencing any of the above issues, you need to contact a knowledgeable plumber who can help.

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Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.