Plumbing is an area that needs your utmost attention and care during a home renovation project. Because one little mistake can cost you a lot, checking your plumbing system should be on the top of your priorities.
To avoid disastrous emergencies with your plumbing system, here’s an in-depth discussion as to why you need to check the piping system before initiating a home renovation project:
1. To Replace Old Pipes
Before the renovation, you should know your property's age and search for old pipes. Old pipes can wreak havoc if they start leaking. They can also invite bad odour and mould into your house. Remember, mould is a safety risk for every living being inside your home.
Checking old pipes and their timely replacement will save you time and money. It’s important to consistently monitor your piping system to see if they need improvement or replacement. Solving the problem now as a precautionary measure will prevent disasters from happening in the future.
Here are some signs of a poor piping system:
- Low water pressure is an indication of water leakage.
- Discoloured and smelly water is an indication of contaminated water, which can also cause mould and invite other pathogens in your home.
- Increased water bills are an indication of leakage.
- Noisy pipes or drainage even when they’re not in use are an indication of water flow. It’s a sign of water leakage within the piping system flowing directly to the drain.
- Winters in the UK can be quite harsh for your piping system and the cold can cause some pipes to burst without you noticing. Hence, it’s best to constantly check them for problems.
2. To Avoid Leakage During Waterproofing
The splashing and gurgling sound when you flush is often ignored but it can be an issue in the future. The renovation of the bathroom can be quite challenging as one mistake can flood your whole home.
Before any home renovation project, consult with a licensed plumber to look at your piping system and suggest products and parts that can be used to improve or replace your existing ones. To avoid water leakage during the waterproofing process, checking your bathroom is crucial.
3. To Prevent Water Contamination
Clean water is precious. Ensuring your plumbing system is in pristine condition is important to ensure your water is not contaminated and potable. Contaminated water can pose health risks for you and your loved ones.
According to a study, contaminated water might contain harmful bacteria. Hence, taking care of plumbing can reduce the chances of health risks for you and your family.
4. To Reduce Water Utility Bills
One seepage can cost you hundreds of bucks each year without you noticing it. A simple faucet replacement can prevent water from getting wasted and reduce your water utility bill.
Some recommended precautionary steps to reduce your water bill include:
- Replacing your toilet with a low-flow toilet can reduce the water usage by a great margin. A traditional toilet cost 7 gallons of water with each flush.
- Replacing your showerhead with a low-flow showerhead will mean using only 2.5 gallons of water instead of 5 to 8 gallons of water.
- Replace your kitchen faucets with eco-friendly alternatives that have great pressure and uses less water.
- Replace your lawn's watering system with a drip system as it will reduce the chances of evaporation and ensure optimal water utilization when keeping your lawn green.
5. To Remove Toxic Pipelines
Lead can contaminate your drinking water when plumbing materials made of lead erode with time. It usually occurs in old piping systems and properties that were made in the 1920s. At that time, lead piping systems were used.
Knowing your property's age is very important as it will help you navigate any old piping that is not replaced. Consult with professionals to help you replace lead piping, faucets, and fixtures as lead causes many health hazards that might go unnoticed.
6. To Prevent Damaging the Foundation
Leaking pipes don’t just cause mold, they can also damage the foundation of your building. They'll cause cracks in the concrete. In some severe cases, when the water leaks underground, they can be the reason for a sinking foundation
Leaking water tends to shift the foundation. Hence, it’s important to check for leaking pipes, especially the ones that have rusted.
Bottomline
Before purchasing or renovating a property, you must inspect the plumbing and piping system. Detecting small problems right now will help you save money in the future. If your property is quite old, it must be inspected for piping systems that can cause huge risks for you and your family.