Plumbing issues are something that are universally experienced and dreaded. However, certain areas may experience unique issues that may not be quite as common elsewhere throughout the country. If you live in Utah, you may be experiencing these problems for yourself. Knowing what to watch out for can help you intervene quickly so that you don’t experience more serious plumbing issues down the road. Here are three common plumbing issues that Utah homeowners face that you should be aware of.
1. Frozen Pipes
Unlike some states, Utah can get winters that are quite cold. With the cold weather comes the increased risk for frozen pipes. Frozen pipes are a problem because they can cause serious damage. Should your pipes freeze and burst, you could be looking at serious water damage throughout the interior of your home, mold growth, and high utility bills that you have to cope with during the most energy-exhaustive time of the year.
Thankfully, frozen pipes can be avoided. When winter comes, you’ll want to make sure that your home is sufficiently warm and that your pipes are insulated. Your water should be running slightly when the weather becomes cold enough to freeze water. Additionally, make sure you focus on any outside fixtures, taking care to turn off spigots and disconnect hoses.
2. Old Pipe Systems That Become Damaged or Pose Health Risks
There are a lot of old homes throughout Utah. While these homes come with a lot of charm and history, they also come with less desirable elements of their construction, like outdated plumbing systems. Outdated plumbing systems can be problematic for several reasons. For example, certain plumbing like cast iron plumbing is known to corrode with time, which can introduce certain metals to your water and lead to damage to the pipes that causes major leaks. Other types of materials that were previously used in old home plumbing, such as lead and polybutylene, can introduce hazardous materials to your shower that will leave lasting health effects over time.
Take care to learn more about your home’s plumbing system so that you’ll know if you have to worry or if you will be able to bathe in, drink, and otherwise use your water without concern. If you do have an outdated plumbing system, now would be the right time to reach out to a professional plumber to get this system replaced.
3. Hard Water
Utah water is hard water, which means that there is a major presence of minerals. These minerals cause a host of problems once they leave your pipes, but they can damage them on the way out of your faucets and showerheads too. Common signs of hard water damage include corrosion, mineral buildup, and a reduction in water pressure caused by blockages. You can’t do much about the water, but you can install a water softener and conduct regular maintenance to reduce and keep tabs on plumbing damage.
Utah residents face unique plumbing challenges that can affect their quality of life in their own homes. Prepare for these common plumbing problems with the insights above to make your homeownership journey less daunting.