Owning your own home comes with a wide array of responsibilities. One of these is ensuring the plumbing system is working properly. While you may enlist the services of a plumber inner west to maintain the plumbing system and fix small issues, this doesn’t mean the system isn’t producing other hazards.
In fact, there are several ways a home’s plumbing system may be making you and your entire family sick. Unfortunately, many people aren’t even aware that this is a potential issue.
Keep reading to find out the most common ways that your plumbing system may be causing issues in your home.
- Plumbing System Leaks – Many people believe that a leaking faucet or pipe is just a small problem, rather than a more serious health hazard. However, the truth is, water leaks can lead to an array of respiratory problems. If the plumbing system begins to leak, the excess water isn’t just going to go away.What actually happens is that the water begins to pool inside of your home’s walls, beneath the floors, and even over your ceilings. This amount of excess moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to not only grow but thrive. When the mold and bacteria become airborne, it’s going to increase the likelihood of asthma and allergy attacks for you and your family.Unfortunately, the issues don’t stop there. Both standing and dripping water can cause damage to the walls and other structural elements of a home. In many cases, these damages require expensive repairs.
- Clogged Drains – Have you ever noticed the drains in your sinks and shower aren’t moving the water away as quickly as they once did? If so, the issue may be a clog. While it’s pretty easy to handle a clogged drain, getting to the underlying issue that caused the clog to begin with is a bit more challenging.If your drain is clogged, it is going to become the perfect environment for mold, bacteria, mildew, and other pathogen types to cause all sorts of respiratory issues or infections. Maintaining a safe and clear drain is something that must be done year-round.To help reduce your exposure to these dangerous pathogens, it’s a good idea to clean drain plugs on a weekly basis and to always run the kitchen and bathroom vents to help reduce excess levels of humidity.
- Outdated Fixtures and Faucets – Opting to live in a house that has history is a smart option. However, while this is true, it also means you need to be more aware of the state of your plumbing system. There are many vintage homes that still use outdated plumbing components and fixtures. This can result in lead being deposited into your cooling, drinking, and bathing water.The fact is, lead may begin to gather in your body over time. Unfortunately, even the slightest amount of lead is toxic, so it’s not worth the risk. It’s easy to replace an outdated faucet in your home in a single afternoon. By installing a lead-free fixture, you can reduce the likelihood that your family is going to be exposed to lead now or in the future.
- Rusted Water Heaters – The water heater in your home is responsible for providing heated water, on-demand, for an array of tasks, such as cooking, washing clothes and dishes, taking showers, and more. However, as water heaters get older, they may develop problems that put the family’s health at serious risk.As time passes, the interior of the tank may begin to rust, resulting in low water pressure and the buildup of sediment. In some cases, the rust may even enter the water supply going to your home.
By getting to know the signs of an issue with your plumbing system, you can avoid serious problems and issues. Make sure to keep the problems here in mind to reduce the likelihood of your family being exposed to any health issues.
