Did you know that every house has a water supply line that runs underground from the street to the home through a crawlspace, basement wall or concrete slab. But how much do you actually understand about your water pipes?
Here are 6 questions you should have about your water pipes.
If you have a leak, high water bills and/or loss of water pressure, you may be in need of immediate water line repair or replacement.
6 Questions Every Homeowner Should Have About Water Pipes Homeowners protect their houses from floods and fires. Some take out warranties for appliances. Some even carry health insurance for their pets. But many do not protect themselves from costly water line and sewer line disruptions and in-home plumbing emergencies.
This year, many homeowners will experience problems with their water and sewer lines (the pipes that run from their property line to their home). Even more will deal with in-home plumbing issues. Pipe clogs, leaks and breaks are surprisingly common, and the numbers are becoming more common as America’s pipes age. The “Water is Your Business Campaign,” sponsored by the National Association of Water Companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, reports that there are 650 water main breaks per day in the U.S., resulting in a daily loss of 7 billion gallons of water. 1 The results of a residential water pipe break can have a serious impact on homeowners’ properties and their wallets.
Yet, many homeowners are unaware of the most common causes of water problems outside and inside their homes. Homeowners, not the local municipality or water utility, are generally responsible for the pipes running through their property. What’s more, most don’t know that most homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover the repair costs, leaving their biggest investment unprotected from expense.
Here are 6 water-related concerns every homeowner should be aware of in order to help protect themselves from the hassles, headaches and potentially high costs of water line, sewer line and in-home plumbing problems.
The vast majority of the nation’s water pipes were installed after World War II and are in serious need of replacement or repair. In fact, a 2010 report from the National Association of Water Companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated that nearly half of all pipes in the U.S. were in poor shape. And, according to a 2012 Water Infrastructure and Sustainability fact sheet by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average age of a broken water main in the U.S. is 47 years.2 Knowing the age of your pipes will help you to assess their need for repair.
Invasive tree roots often “follow” and disrupt service lines. Roots seek out pipes because they provide essential elements that trees need to grow - water, nutrients and oxygen. When tree roots get into pipes, they can cause clogs and blocks that lead to serious problems and need for repair.
First Seen right here: 6 Questions About Your Water Pipes
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