Is it necessary to replace cast iron plumbing? It’s not always easy to know if your pipes are damaged because most of them are hidden behind walls or in crawl spaces that aren’t easy to access. There are warning signs that are important to pay attention to because let’s face it, the goal is to avoid a plumbing disaster.
If your drains are running slow when you flush the toilet or run water down the sink/shower it could be a sign the pipes are corroded. As you can see from the picture below, the opening of the pipe gradually becomes smaller, eventually causing blockages that backup into your home.
Brown or yellow discolored water coming out of your faucet could be a direct result of this corrosion and rust. It is probably one of the most visible signs that the pipes are damaged.
Cast iron over time is susceptible to cracks, these cracks can cause several issues. When the pipes in your walls crack a slow leak begins and causes mold to begin growing. This can go unnoticed until the damage is severe.
Cracked pipes could also cause sewer gas to escape, this is certainly not healthy. If you smell sewer gas, it’s time to call a plumber.
Regardless of the age of your house or the plumbing, you should periodically inspect the pipes. Any cracks, pools of water underneath a pipe, rust spots, and dimples are all plumbing signs you should watch out for.
Sunwest All Service has experienced plumbing technicians that can perform a sewer video inspection, repair or replace damaged pipes. Please call if you are experiencing any of these issues and we will schedule an appointment. 239-455-8353
