Common Outdoor Plumbing Problems

Posted By taylors on September 23, 2017

When homeowners consider their home’s plumbing, most often they think about the faucets, toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and other such items found inside the home. However, much of the plumbing of a home is located outside the home. This portion of the plumbing is important as it is the gateway from which your water comes into your home and the waste water exits. Therefore; it’s extremely important to properly maintain the outdoor plumbing of your home. There are some common problems which happen to outdoor plumbing. Here are a few of them:

Clogged Pipes
Clogged pipes are one of the most common problems that occur in outdoor plumbing. Most often the cause is due to tree roots which grow into the pipes. If you have large trees on your property, chances are that the roots of these trees will cause problems with your plumbing. This depends largely on the type of tree and its proximity to the pipes. What happens is that during spring and summer, tree roots can begin to grow into hairline cracks that are sometimes present in the pipes. The reason why roots do this is because the tree is looking for nutrition and water. As time passes, the roots can grow thicker and eventually clog the pipe. Over time, the roots continue to grow thicker, until it clogs up the pipes.

When this occurs, you need to contact a plumber such as Taylor’s Plumbing. We will do a video sewer inspection and remove the roots from the drains. When you suspect that you have a problem with roots in the drains, you should avoid putting oils, grease, and debris into the system.

Corroded Galvanized Pipes
Modern homes that are well maintained shouldn’t experience corroded pipes. However if your home was built before 1960, this could be a problem. Many older homes often have galvanized iron pipes which were used in the sewer and water mains.

Galvanized iron pipes were once the industry standard until recent years when these were replaced with copper and PVC piping. The problem with galvanized iron is that it corrodes quickly as the zinc coating found on the inside begins to wear away.

Galvanized pipes that have corroded cause problems such as lead poisoning, leaks, and mineral dense water.

Frozen Pipes
Another major problem with outdoor plumbing is frozen pipes. This happens when the temperature drops below freezing and water which is standing in the pipes becomes frozen. This causes the pipes to expand which in turn can cause the pipe to crack and burst. You may not notice any damage until spring. A burst pipe can cause extensive property damage.

If you notice a frozen pipe, turn off your main water valve and call a plumber, such as Taylor’s Plumbing, straight away. The professionals at Taylor’s Plumbing are experienced in dealing with this type of problem and will help you avoid the extensive damage that can occur from a burst pipe. We service Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Hamilton and the surrounding areas.