Signs You Have Damaged Pipes

Your home has a large system of pipes running through your walls, ceilings, and floors. These pipes are essential for bringing your home clean water and removing waste. And they never get a day off!

So just as it’s crucial for your plumbing system to be working, it’s equally crucial to know the signs that there might be an issue. We’re focusing on pipes and how pipes could easily become unusable or even dangerous to your home.

Follow these tips and watch out for the most common signs that you have an issue with your pipes.

Frequent Clogs

While a clog in your pipes is to be expected every once in a while, it shouldn’t be happening too frequently. Especially if you follow the normal best practices for keeping your pipes clear, you should take notice of how often your pipes clog. You should also pay attention to whether one pipe or multiple seems to get clogged.

Frequent clogs are often a sign that there is an issue with your sewer or septic line. This is the pipe that runs to your septic tank or the city sewer system. A clog in your sewer line often requires a camera inspection to discover and hydro jetting to relieve.

Frequent Leaks

Frequent leaks, especially if in different locations, are often a sign that your pipes are starting to wear down and deteriorate. This would be the right time to replace them, whether it’s one pipe or several throughout your home that are the problem.

Leaks aren’t just a nuisance — they can create significant water damage and raise your water bills if left unchecked. A leak underneath your lawn is another sign your pipe may need replacing. You’ll notice that your grass looks greener and healthier than normal, but it’s actually being flooded with sewage water, which is both a problem for your sewer or septic system and your health.

Discolored Water

So far we’ve discussed leaks within your waste pipes, which leave your home. But what about the pipes bringing fresh water into your home? You might argue that these are even more important since that water will be used to drink, wash your hands, and cook food.

The most common sign of issues with your water pipes is discoloration. Once you see the water come through a non-clear color, you should get your pipes inspected. A frequent culprit of discoloration is rust in your pipes. You’ll start seeing a maroon color in your water if this is the case. It likely means your water line has corroded and needs to be replaced.

Strange Noises

Strange noises can also be indicative of pipe issues. It may be as simple as a loose fitting rattling around when you run water. It could also be something more serious like a water hammer (when too much pressure has built up in your pipes and the flow of water makes a large knocking sound when turned off).

Incorrect Water Pressure

Watch out if your water pressure suddenly drops without you changing anything in your system. This could be a sign that a leak has sprung somewhere in the system, even if you can’t see it.

High water pressure doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem with your pipes, but don’t be surprised if one soon arises. Water pressure that is too high can cause stress on the joints of your pipes and eventually cause them to come loose or break.

Absolute Service Since 1965

The Lloyds Plumbing has been providing top-notch plumbing service to the Thousand Oaks community for decades. Contact us today at (805) 495-8766 to see how we can help you.