Just because your pipes are old does not mean they won't continue working for many more years to come. Pipes are fairly long-lived, and there is generally no need to replace them until you start experiencing problems. But how do you know when your older pipes are not okay and do, indeed, require the attention of a plumber? Watch out for these signs.
Reduced Water Pressure
Have you noticed that the water pressure in one of your showers or sinks has gotten less and less over time? This could be due to mineral buildup inside of your old pipes. If you're experiencing reduced pressure at multiple taps at once, then the mineral buildup might be in one of the larger pipes that feeds all of those taps. If you don't do anything about it, eventually you'll have a hard time getting water from those taps at all. So, this is a good time to call a plumber and have them assess your older pipes.
Tiny Leaks
There are likely some areas in your home where you can see parts of your pipes. Maybe you can see some pipes on the wall in the basement, and perhaps there are others exposed inside a closet or two. Look at all the pipes you're able to look at and make sure you don't see any tiny drops of water on their surface. These pinhole leaks are often the first sign that a pipe is starting to corrode and deteriorate from the inside out. You want to have these pipes replaced before you have bigger leaks to contend with.
Increasing Water Hammer Noises
A water hammer is when your pipes bang and make noises. This is usually due to the expansion of the metal as hot water flows through the pipe. If your pipes are getting noisier and noisier, though, this could mean they are starting to sag somewhere. The increasing noise is because cold water is sitting in the dropped-down portions of the pipe, causing the hot water to be even more of a shock to the metal when it comes through. A plumber can come to look where the older pipes are sagging and replace them if needed.
Old pipes don't last forever, so make sure you keep an eye out for signs that yours are suffering. If your do notice any of the signs above, have a plumber take a look before the matter worsens.
To learn more about this topic, contact a local plumber.
