Your plumbing system is a critical component of your home. It uses pipes, valves and plumbing fixtures to keep clean water flowing and waste moving.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths swirling around about plumbing. These can lead to serious problems.
1. Pipes Can’t Be Repaired
Plumbing can be a complicated system, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can damage your home or aggravate plumbing issues that require costly professional repairs. That’s why it’s important to debunk some common plumbing myths.
One of the most common myths is that pipes can be repaired, but it’s not always true. While it’s possible to fix a leaking pipe or a broken joint with repair tape, it is best to replace the section as soon as you can.
Often, even small leaks can wreak havoc on your water bill. Replacing a pipe will allow you to enjoy much more efficient water pressure throughout your home. This will also help prevent a recurrence of the problem and save you money in the long run.
It’s true that you can repair a PVC pipe, but it can be tricky to do so without damaging it further. If you do decide to try it, you’ll need to use a repair epoxy that can bond to the PVC plastic and form a tight seal.
Applying the epoxy will likely take some time and effort, but it can be very effective at sealing a crack or leak in a pipe. The key is to make sure the epoxy has a good chance of bonding well directly against the PVC plastic, and that it’s completely dry.
The next step is to place a sheet of rubber around the damaged area. It should fit snugly, but loosely enough to allow you to position a pair of worm-gear hose clamps over the top. The clamps will then seal the rubber patch to the cracked pipe.
You’ll need to tighten the clamps to ensure that the rubber patch stays in place, but you’ll want to be careful not to overtighten them. You may end up causing the rubber patch to tear or break off, which will be expensive to repair.
Depending on how bad the damage is, you can use a variety of specialized sleeves and wraps for repairing dents, bulges and other damages in your pipes. These can include structural reinforcement sleeves, pressure-containing sleeves and composite sleeves.
2. Leaks Are Visible
Leaks are a frustrating plumbing problem that can cause serious damage to your home, furniture, and fixtures. They can also encourage unwanted growth and odors that aren’t pleasant to have in your living space. If you have a leak, it’s important to have it repaired quickly to avoid more extensive water damage. Seek a plumber immediately; we recommend looking for one on the website is grahamandsonsplumbing.com.
Luckily, plumbers can easily identify leaks by looking at your home’s plumbing pipes. They can spot small cracks in pipes that aren’t visible on their own, as well as leaking water from pipes under cabinets.
When pipes are installed, seals are placed around them to keep water from leaking through the pipe. But as pipes age, these seals can wear out or break.
This can allow water to flow through the cracks in the pipes, causing leaks. Often, these leaks are hidden from view and aren’t noticed until they become large enough to cause serious damage to your home.
While there are some leaks that fix themselves, it’s best to have them fixed as soon as possible. This is because leaks can only get worse with time, causing more damage and higher water bills in the long run.
The EPA estimates that households waste about 1 trillion gallons of water each year due to a leaky pipe. This isn’t just a annoyance – it’s a huge waste of money that could be avoided by knowing the warning signs and calling in a plumber early to address them.
If you notice your water meter has been moving even when the faucets in your home have been turned off, it’s a good indication that there’s a leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing. This is an especially common issue for homes that have had tree roots grow into their plumbing system, which can lead to a lot of water waste.
The EPA reports that these leaks usually occur in the basement or crawlspace of your home. They can be difficult to spot, but a good plumber will know where to look and can help you fix the problem before it gets too bad.
3. Clogs Are Not Visible
Clogs are usually not easy to see, and you might not notice them until they cause a problem like low water pressure or slow draining sinks. But there are a few clues that can help you find the source of a drain blockage or other plumbing issue before it’s too late to fix it yourself.
Most clogs develop gradually over time as waste from grease, hair, soap scum and other substances stick to the walls of pipes and create a clogged pipe. If you notice slow draining sinks, a foul smell or strange noises coming from your plumbing system, a clog is most likely to be the culprit.
Some clogs can be fixed by homeowners with basic tools and a little know-how. But others require specialized plumbing equipment, so you’ll want to call a plumber for the job.
Shower drains are one of the most common places where clogs form. They’re especially susceptible to a combination of hair and soap scum, which clump together in the drain basket.
Bathtubs are also common areas where a clog can occur. A bathtub clog can be caused by hair, soap scum, food scraps or even hard water minerals forming limescale.
Kitchen sinks can also become clogged from large food particles in the garbage disposal or long-term build-up in the pipes. Some homeowners use drain-cleaning bladders that shoot water into a sewer line, forcing clogs through the pipes and restoring proper flow.
Toilets are also prone to clogs, often caused by hair or paper products. They can be difficult to unclog, so you might consider using a plunger.
In addition to the plunger, you can try a mixture of boiling water and bleach or vinegar to dislodge clogs. You can buy these at most hardware stores and home centers.
There are also small wire covers that you can place over your drains that prevent clogs from developing. This is a less costly solution than replacing your pipes or buying harsh chemicals to pour down your drains.
Most clogs can be cleared with simple methods, such as snaking or boiling water. However, if the clog has been there for some time, it may be more complicated to remove and requires professional assistance from a licensed plumber.
4. Pipes Can’t Be Replaced
Plumbing is a complex system of pipes and fixtures that can be difficult to understand. It’s also easy to fall into common plumbing myths that can make your plumbing problems worse or even introduce new issues that require costly professional repairs.
Using drain cleaners, putting bricks in toilet tanks and running lemon peels down your garbage disposal are all plumbing myths that can lead to dangerous and expensive damage. They’re also the most common ways to clog pipes, so it’s important to debunk these misconceptions as soon as possible.
If you have polybutylene or CPVC pipes, it’s probably time to replace them because these pipes are prone to breakage and can cost hundreds of dollars to fix. They’re also not the most sturdiest material, so they aren’t recommended for use in your home.
The best pipes are made of copper and PVC, both of which are durable materials that are resistant to the harsh environment. They’re also more efficient than traditional metals and can last 50 years before you need to pay for pipe replacement again.
It’s also easier to repair old pipes than it is to install new ones, so you can save money and avoid a long-term drain on your finances. Replacing pipes can also improve the resale value of your home, which is something to keep in mind when you’re considering selling.
Corrosion is another reason that it’s important to replace aging pipes. Corrosion can cause the pipes to become narrower and less efficient, reducing water flow and causing a variety of other issues.
If you have galvanized steel pipes, it’s probably time to replace those too as rust can eat away at the inside of the pipe and cause problems.
It’s also possible to find leaks in your pipes that aren’t visible to the naked eye. These leaks can cause major problems for you, your family or your property if left unchecked. Pinhole leaks are particularly common in older homes, and they can damage drywall, flooring, ceilings, insulation, and other items. They’re also a significant risk for mold and mildew growth. If you’re not sure whether your pipes need to be replaced, schedule a professional plumbing inspection.