Similar to most things in your Fort Lauderdale luxury home, your pipes won’t last forever. When pipes begin to fail, the damage can wreak havoc throughout your home. Because pipes are hidden behind walls and underground, the damage can start small and grow much larger before you begin to suspect there’s a problem. Read on to learn the 6 telltale signs that your Fort Lauderdale home needs to be repiped.
1. Frequent Pipe Leaks
Internal pipe corrosion, especially around joints, is usually the culprit for leaks. A water pipe leak that is not addressed will most likely lead to a burst pipe. Some leaks are more obvious than others. Here are a three signs of less obvious leak issues:
- Low water pressure
- Mold and mildew — smell and/or visible signs
- Higher than usual water bills with no change in daily usage
An easy way to test for plumbing leaks is to turn off all water appliances, indoors and outdoors. Then, locate your home’s water meter and watch the numbers. If the numbers increase after about 30 minutes, you have a leak. The faster the numbers increase, the larger the leak will be.
2. Water Discoloration
Water supplied by the City should be colorless. If you notice a yellowish or brownish discoloration in your water, then you might have sediment and rust build-up in your water pipes. This type of discoloration is usually most evident in the morning when you open a water faucet. The color usually clears after a few seconds.
If you only see discoloration in your hot water, check the status of your hot water heater. For optimal performance, water heaters should be flushed annually. Otherwise, there might be segment buildup in the unit.
3. Change in Water Smell and Taste
If you notice a change in the smell or taste of your water, especially in the morning, chances are there is something wrong with your plumbing. This does not apply to well water, which can be affected by many factors.
4. Noisy Pipes
Other than the sound of water flowing through them, pipes are not supposed to make noise. In most cases, a water hammer sound can be fixed with a water hammer arrestor. However, noisy pipes could also be a sign of a clog.
If there is a clog in a section of your pipes, water will hit it at a high pressure. The result could be rattling pipes and/or a whining sound as the water makes its way past the restriction.
5. Corroded Pipes
While you cannot see inside your water pipes without cutting one, there are signs of corrosion you can look for on the outside of the pipes. Check exposed piping for visible signs of corrosion, like:
- Dimpling
- Flaking
- Discoloration
- Rust-colored markings or powder
- Bluish-greenish tinting (copper piping)
6. Your Home Is 40+ Years Old
If your Florida home was built over 40 years ago, the pipes may have already started corroding. The only exception is for PVC piping. Following are the piping lifespan guidelines:
- Brass: 40 – 70 years
- Galvanized steel: 20 – 50 years
- Cast iron: 25-30 years
- Copper: 10 – 20 years
- PVC: indefinitely
If you see any of these signs in your Fort Lauderdale luxury home, contact a professional. Being proactive before a pipe fails could save you a lot of money and headaches. Keep in mind that repiping a home can be a huge undertaking. Often one has to access the pipes in your walls and underground.
