According to Today’s Homeowner, an online platform committed to providing reliable home improvement information, advice, and resources, around 40% of homeowners will need to replace minor plumbing components, such as faucet handles, drain stoppers, pipe fittings, and toilet flappers, within the first 5 years of owning their home. Those who remain in their homes longer are at an increased risk of encountering even more serious plumbing problems, some of which may require repairing or replacing the home’s water line.
Water Lines and What Homeowners Should Know About Them
For those unaware, water lines are the pipes that deliver potable water from a well or public water source into a home. They are responsible for directing clean water to sinks, bathtubs, showers, water heaters, faucets, washing machines, and toilets. Since the water that flows through water line pipes is safe for everything from cooking and cleaning to drinking, they represent a critical component of a home’s plumbing system. Water line problems can damage plumbing pipes, which can, in turn, weaken water flow and water pressure. Along with noticeably weaker water flow and water pressure, other signs of water line problems can include the following:
- Damp drywall or ceilings with wet rings
- Damp spots on floors, especially near walls
- Diminished water quality, including a strange taste or odor
- Discolored water coming out of faucets
- Frequent clogs or backed-up plumbing
- Gurgling, bubbling, or hissing sounds
- Leaky pipes
- Mold and mildew growth
- Unusually high water bills
- Water bubbling in the street
- Water pooling in the yard
- Wet spots around sinks, bathtubs, or toilets
What Causes Water Line Damage?
Materials used in water line pipes can vary from one home to the next. Popular pipe materials in most homes today include copper, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polyvinyl chloride (PVC ), and, in older homes, galvanized steel. PEX and PVC piping are both subject to degradation over time. Galvanized steel and copper piping, over time, can both corrode. Degradation and corrosion are two of the most common causes of water line damage, and many things can contribute to both. Some of the more notable include the following:
- Exceptionally high or low water velocity
- Exposure to rain, humidity, temperature variations, and pollutants in exposed pipes
- Hard Water
- High levels of dissolved inorganic and organic substances in water
- High levels of dissolved oxygen in water
- High water temperatures
- Low pH levels, which go hand in hand with high acidity in water
- Microorganisms in water
- Poor soil conditions and the presence of salts or chemicals in buried pipes
In addition to degradation and corrosion, tree roots, soil movement, blockages, and mineral deposits left behind after water has flowed through pipes are also common contributors to water line damage. The same holds for general wear and tear. Water lines naturally wear down with age and use. And as they do, they lose their structural integrity and become more susceptible to damage.
Is It Better To Replace or Repair Damaged Water Lines?
Because so many things can contribute to water line damage and the severity of that damage, homeowners must consider several things when weighing whether to repair or replace their damaged water lines. Some of those considerations should include the extent of the damage. Small leaks, for example, can be repaired. Meanwhile, large cracks or completely broken pipes may warrant replacing portions of the water line or the entire water line.
The age of the pipes should also influence a homeowner’s decision to replace or repair damaged water lines. If the pipes in a home are relatively new and have only minor damage, making repairs will usually suffice. If the pipes in a home are old, replacing the entire water line might be worth considering. For reference, water line pipes last 50 to 70 years on average. Homeowners should also consider the existing water line materials when deciding whether it’s worth repairing or replacing damaged water lines.
For example, even if there are no signs of plumbing problems, homeowners should proactively replace older lead or galvanized steel pipes with modern copper or PEX pipes. That’s because older lead and galvanized steel pipes can leach lead and other harmful chemicals into a home’s water supply. The same applies to homes with ductile iron pipes, which are pipes made from ductile cast iron.
Benefits of Repairing Damaged Water Lines
In addition to being more cost-efficient, repairing damaged water lines preserves current or existing water line materials, can be done relatively quickly, and contributes to lower water bills.
Benefits of Replacing Damaged Water Lines
Although more costly, several benefits come from replacing damaged water lines, some of which include the following:
- Helps increase water pressure in the home
- Improves taste and overall water quality
- Increases the durability of the entire water line and plumbing system
- Reduces leaks and other inefficiencies that can contribute to higher-than-usual water bills
In summary, repairing or replacing damaged water lines in your home offers numerous benefits, such as minimizing or preventing water damage, improving water quality, and helping to lower your monthly water bill. To learn more or for help deciding which option is right for you and your family, contact Buddy’s Plumbing Excellence, your fixed-right-the-first-time-plumbers, today.
