2 Small Signs Of Major Issues With Your Home's Plumbing

While looking at any exposed pipes, whether they are under your sink or in your basement, you may believe that your plumbing is intact and working properly if you do not see any water leaks. However, there are some small signs for which you should be on the lookout that could mean you have major issues with your home's plumbing system.

1.  Pipes Are Discolored Around the Connections

When examining the pipes that you can see, whether you have cast-iron or PVC pipes, look carefully at the connections for any signs of discoloration. If you do see any changes in the coloring of the pipes either on the connections or the ends of the pipe sections, there is most likely a slow leak or water seepage.

If you have cast iron pipes, you may see reddish-brown areas. These areas are signs that the metal has started to corrode and rust. Eventually, the water will eat through the metal and cause much more noticeable leaks.

If you have PVC pipes, which are normally white, you may see spots that have turned off-white or even light brown. Either of these colors also indicate that water is seeping through the connections and eating away at the material. If you do not have a plumber replace the discolored fittings and stop the seepage, you will eventually have major leaking.

2.  Paint or Wallpaper Has Started to Bubble 

Another small sign that you have a major plumbing issue somewhere in your house is noticeable on your walls and not on your visible pipes. If you see any areas in your home, whether in the bathroom or even your bedroom, where the paint or wallpaper has started to bubble up and even peel away, there is moisture seeping in from under the walls affecting the wall covering.

While this bubbling could be a sign of a leak in your roof, it can also be an indicator that you have a pipe leaking somewhere inside of your walls which you cannot see. Especially if you know that there is a pipe inside of the wall, and you have noticed a spike in your water bill, you need to contact a plumbing professional right away.  

Even if you believe the above signs are simply minor, cosmetic issues, they may indicate that you have a serious problem somewhere in your home's plumbing system. If you believe this may be the case, contact a residential plumbing service to have them inspect your pipes and discuss remedies for any problem areas that they find.