3 Signs That You Need a Water Line Repair

Water Line Repair is expensive! The purpose of this article is to help our readers understand the cause and effect of water line problems, and to help you identify the most common signs of water line damage.

As a homeowner, you do everything you can to keep your homes and your loved ones safe.  It’s a constant battle. You may have a warranty for appliances, health insurance for your pets, and take other preventative measures. However, most of us don’t think about our water and sewage lines, which when damaged can cause serious property damage, an increase in water and sewer bills and costly repairs. Water line repair often involves digging up your yard. This is a major expense.

You may think that this may not happen to you, but the truth is – many homeowners will suffer through this dilemma this year. In fact, based on information from the “Water is Your Business” campaign – every day there are 650 water main breaks in America, a loss of 7 billion gallons of water.

What’s more? Your local water utility or municipality is not responsible for the pipes that run through your property – you are. In other words, you are financially responsible for any necessary repairs. It may also surprise you to know that most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover the repair costs of your water lines, which leaves your biggest investment vulnerable and your pockets empty.

Water Line Repair: Cause & Effect

Having fresh water piped into your home is essential to a comfortable daily life. And when something upsets that water flow, it’s nearly impossible to relax. This isn’t something that just happens out of the blue, the truth is there are a number of factors that make your pipes susceptible to damage over time. They include:

• The age of your pipes: The majority of the water pipes in America were installed after World War II and are in serious need of replacement. Having an idea of the age of your pipes will help you determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced – 50 is typically the magic number.
• The presence of mature trees: The tree roots of mature trees can grow into the pipes and cause blockages and clogs. Invasive tree roots often seek out pipelines because they provide vital nutrients (like water and oxygen) that the trees need to grow.
• Poor soil conditions: If you live in an area where the soil may have a high chloride content or low soil resistivity, it can cause your pipes to corrode faster than normal. If this happens, it can lead to contamination and leaks.

Water Line Repair: 3 Signs of a Damaged Water Line

There are several warning signs that can help you stop your water line damage in its path before things get worse – and more expensive. Some of them include:

• Soggy spots in your yard: If the skies in your area have been clear for a while but there are still damp spots on your lawn, this may indicate that your water line is cracked and leaking water.

• Low water pressure: If you notice that the water pressure in your home has decreased, your water line may have a leak. While there are other reasons for low water pressure, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Consult a professional to determine the cause.

• Water discoloration: Does your tap water have a rust colored tint? This type of discoloration typically happens if your pipes are rusted or even due to soil and dirt entering the cracks.

Conclusion

Because water line repair and replacement is not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance, these types of issues can cost thousands of dollars to fix. Furthermore, most homeowners do not even think about their water lines. You can’t see them, so you don’t worry about them. Thus, it’s important that you take preventative measures to keep your home protected from water damage to keep more of your money in your pocket. Pay attention to any slight changes that may affect your water lines and consult a professional for regular inspection and maintenance to avoid water line repair.

Stayed tuned for our follow up article on: 3 Factors That Impact Water Line Installation and Cost