5 Reasons Your Plumbing System Matters to Your Health and Safety

At American Plumbing Company we take great care in making sure your home plumbing system is not only working efficiently, but we also realize the impact that plumbing systems have on our health and safety. Delaying plumbing repairs- even small leaks, can have serious consequences.

Modern-day plumbing systems have become a game-changer in the way we live our lives. No longer must we trek to the outhouse in the middle of the night to do our business, or manually heat our water to put into a tub for a bath. Most Americans are fortunate enough to have access to plentiful amounts of city water, making it as simple as the flip of your kitchen sink’s faucet handle to fill up a pot to boil up some pasta. However, there are several factors in plumbing maintenance to keep your system functional and safe.

1. The Precious Resource: Water

Within our 21st century lives, water sustainability has become an increasingly discussed topic. While Flint, Michigan is probably the most talked about, there are several U.S. cities dealing with their own water crises- even some areas in Texas. As the population continues its rapid growth, natural resource sustainability becomes weaker – more people means less clean water to go around. Even though we live on a planet that is 71% water, clean, drinkable water is hard to come by and certainly not infinite. Clean water is arguably the most precious natural resource we have.

The plumbing, sanitation, and water treatments developed throughout history have been acknowledged by many within the public health community to have protected more lives and extended life expectancy more than any recent medical advancements.

2. Piping Pollutants

Perhaps the first thing to look at when determining the safety of your home’s water is to follow the path it takes to end up streaming out of your shower head. To really get an idea of what kind of water you're brushing your teeth with, find out where the water source comes from in your city, and the path it must take to end up in your city’s water treatment facility. While this is useful information to know, much of the journey in which water travels to end up where you live is out of your control. However, what we can control is the path our water takes within our own homes.

The type of piping you have within your home can make a drastic impact on the quality of water. Improper piping materials, particularly with Galvanized, steel pipes, is a more common problem in older homes with older piping (typically in pipes installed before 1960). While there may be no noticeable taste or discoloration, piping made with certain metals corrode over time, putting out lead, iron, zinc, and cadmium into your home’s water.

Plastic pipes aren’t off the hook either. Many plumbing systems are commonly made with plastic pipes such as PVC and PEX, which have been both been approved by every plumbing code in the U.S. However, the production process, specifically with PEX pipes, can vary drastically between different manufacturers and brands, sometimes leading low-quality pipes which cause foul smelling and tasting water. It’s important to look into companies that are making safe PEX pipes to be used for household water. While now banned, make sure your home doesn’t have Polybutylene piping (specifically houses build between the mid-70s to the mid-90s). Polybutylene is a plastic resin extensively used during this period of time. This type of piping deteriorates from the inside as it comes into contact with oxidants in water. This will lead to the eroded piping polluting your water as well as an inevitable plumbing disaster as oxidants eat away at your pipes.

Two popular pipe materials to use for your home’s plumbing system are copper or PVC. While presented with their own set of pro’s and con’s, these two materials have proven to be safe and durable to be used for home plumbing systems.

3. Bacteria and Toxins Ahoy

After flushing the toilet once you’ve finished your business, those contents are little more than an afterthought – other than maybe leaving behind a stinky bathroom, your waste is likely never to be seen again. However, while typically out of sight and out of mind, it’s important to know where that wastewater goes. Of all the water within your plumbing system, sewage by far wins the award for being the nastiest and the one we want to deal with the least. But, because of how nasty it is, it’s that much more critical to your health and safety that it’s being disposed of properly. Sewage water brings a worse affliction than just an unpleasant odor. It’s imperative that no cross-contamination occurs within your drinking water, because no one wants to drink water filled with E-coli, salmonella, hepatitis, or parasitic bacteria, to name a few. Sewage water is ripe for a number of waterborne diseases, ranging from bacteria to viruses and parasites. For any septic-specific issues in your plumbing system, the safest option is to always have a professional plumber come take a look and make plumbing repairs.

4. Plumbing Leaks Lead to Damp Homes

The best kind of plumbing is one that keeps water inside your pipes. However, leaky pipes can be a common occurrence in many homes, and if not dealt with quickly, it can escalate to a much more significant and costly plumbing problem than just being a leaky pipe. A minor leak can seem like a non-issue at first, something that you’ll eventually get repaired. However, if not dealt with quickly, it can become a plumbing nightmare. Aside from having an outrageous water bill from all the water being wasted, a leaky pipe is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow inside your home. Once it starts, mold and mildew spread quickly, meaning you and your family will be breathing in fungi-infused air, which can cause a variety of health problems. Additionally, leaks in your pipes aren’t isolated incidents, and if not tended to early, your leaks will only continue to grow until your entire plumbing system is a disaster. Your wallet will thank you for fixing that leak early on.

5. Shockingly Loose Wires

Your plumbing system is more than a series of drains, pipes, and water flow. If your plumbing system has not been properly and safely installed, your home can become a death-trap waiting to happen. While this might sound dramatic, it’s true nonetheless. Loose electrical wiring, especially near water, can be a real cause for concern for electrocution. Improperly installed electrical wiring can cause a fire in your home.

While it’s tempting to try to be a handy-man, and maybe even save some money by doing plumbing work yourself, it really is the safest bet to hire a licensed, professional plumber. Professional plumbing work can be very meticulous and dangerous. So, whether installing something new, or just needing basic plumbing maintenance, it’s best to leave it to a professional.