Plumbing is often something of an out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. At least until something goes wrong anyway. When something does go wrong, it’s important to address the issue quickly. Untreated plumbing problems can lead to some pretty significant secondary issues.
Mold and Mildew
One of the most common plumbing problems are leaks, whether those come from leaky pipes, faucets, or running toilets. Aside from being annoying and running up your water bill, leaks can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Over time this can weaken whatever it’s growing on and negatively impact your health as well. Mold and mildew can be difficult to detect as well, since they may not grow in places that are easily visible. There may not be much of a smell at first either. If you happen to notice mold or mildew growth, be sure to treat it right away.
More Pests
Problems with your pipes may also invite unwelcome guests to your home. Pests thrive in the moist conditions of your water pipes. Cockroaches, centipedes, and various types of flies find your drains and pipes attractive when they are dirty, clogged, and don’t have the right amount of water in them. These conditions can make an ideal habitat for pests, providing them with both a home and water. Rats may also make your pipes their home. You can discourage pests from doing so by keeping your pipes clean and with the right amount of water in them.
A Higher Water Bill
That leaky, drippy faucet and running toilet are just annoying, right? Well, as it turns out, they can be one of the reasons your water bill goes up, and by quite a lot. A leaky faucet is usually caused by the washer that forms the seal becoming damaged. As far as plumbing problems go, it’s a decently simple fix to just replace the washer. Running toilets are often caused by components in the tank failing for one reason or another. This is also a relatively easy thing to fix, often as simple as picking up a toilet repair kit and following the installation instructions.
Plumbing problems are not ones that should be ignored or left untreated. Doing so can result in secondary issues, such as the growth of mold, greater prevalence of pests, and a higher water bill. Take action to prevent these problems by addressing plumbing issues without delay when they arise.
It’s important to get your home inspected before selling so you can identify these types of problems early and address them promptly. Schedule an inspection with us today!