Maintaining a Healthy Plumbing System
Check out our guide on how to check the plumbing health of a clients property below, many people only call a plumber when the worst happens. Offering an inspection service to check the below could save your clients a lot of hassle.
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The Effects of Plumbing on Your Health
Due to inadequate plumbing design and a lack of clean water, epidemics of dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and other water-borne illnesses were widespread centuries ago. These illnesses claimed the lives of millions of people. These public health hazards are essentially non-existent now because of technical advancements in plumbing, sanitation, and waste management, especially in wealthy nations like Australia. Before you go and start inspecting potentially hazardous plumbing systems make sure to look into insurance for plumbers.
However, this does not rule out the possibility of water pollution in modern cities. Here are five ways that faulty plumbing may make you sick.
1. Backflow
When there is backpressure or back-siphoning, wastewater can pollute your clean water supply with microorganisms. When the downstream pressure exceeds the supply pressure, polluted downstream water is driven back up to your clean water supply, causing backpressure.
Cross-connection can also happen if the water pressure drops. The water pressure lowers and generates a vacuum when a water main breaks or a fire hydrant is used. Contaminants might be sucked into your pipes by this suction.
Cross-connection is not widespread, but it is conceivable, especially if your sinks and tubs are older. Bidets, dishwashers, and even washing machines can be contaminated by dirty water from toilets, garden hoses, and swimming pools.
2. Mould caused by unresolved leaks
Mould flourishes in organic matter that is wet. It thrives in leaking roofs, basements, bathrooms, kitchens, blocked gutters, and other locations. It can cause a wide range of health difficulties, from a simple runny nose and headache to more significant problems, including asthma attacks, sinus infections, and other respiratory ailments.
3. Poor plumbing installation and carelessness
Cross-contamination, reverse siphonage, and wastewater backup might be caused by malfunctioning valves, air gaps, vacuum breakers, and other components in your house plumbing system. To avoid these problems, exclusively choose qualified licenced plumbers.
4. High Water Acidity
Water with a low pH is acidic, which can corrode copper, lead, or zinc plumbing fittings. It can also create blue-green stains in tubs, sinks, and drains, as well as a metallic or sour taste in drinking water.
Your pipes, lines, and taps may be harmed by acidic water. It can also cause major health problems such as liver or kidney damage, gastrointestinal problems, and an increased risk of Type-1 diabetes over time.
5. Pipes made of lead
Although lead has long been utilised in plumbing, new research has shown that it is hazardous to people. To ensure that lead does not leach into your drinking water, have your plumber inspect your pipes, fittings, and fixtures.
Your Plumbing System and COVID-19
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to prioritise safety. While Australia has done a better job of limiting the virus than the United States or the United Kingdom, we should nevertheless be extra cautious in our daily routines.
Seeing grocery shelves depleted of toilet paper is a troubling trend for plumbing specialists like us. We may have to cope with an avalanche of sewage obstructions caused by people who can’t get toilet paper choosing inadequate substitutes and dumping them down the toilet.
We cannot emphasise enough the necessity of not flushing certain materials that can cause serious harm to your plumbing system while we cope with toilet paper scarcity. These items include:
- Wet wipes
- Paper towels
- Sanitary products
- Cleaning cloths
Unlike toilet paper, these objects do not disintegrate in water. In reality, they absorb water, which causes them to enlarge after being flushed. That’s not only bad for your pipes, but it’s also bad for the ecosystem.
Dos and Don’ts for Preventing Plumbing Disasters
Plumbers are a vital part of our community, especially in light of the present health crisis. However, they are putting themselves, their families, and everybody they come into touch with at risk.
Taking precautions with your plumbing system is one approach to prevent contacting a plumber. Because plumbing catastrophes don’t happen by accident, following these dos and don’ts can help you avoid major issues
Don’t flush anything other than pee and faeces
Do not flush anything down the toilet, as previously stated. Paper towels, baby wipes, and other hygiene items can do serious damage to your plumbing.
Pouring filth and sludge down the drain is not a good idea. Pouring oil, butter, congealed fat, or other fatty stuff down the drain is also a big no.
Oil baths can also produce blockages in the bathroom, especially when paired with hair and other particles stuck in the drain.
Don’t dismiss the signs of a leak. When little leaks go unnoticed, they may turn into a costly problem that damages your property and poses major health and safety risks to your family.
Make sure your pipes aren’t pierced. This is not the time to undertake a home renovation project while the globe is still dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic. If you’re bored and want to do some DIY around the house, be sure you know where your pipes are so you don’t accidentally puncture them.
Check for any leaks. One of the most aggravating aspects of residential plumbing is leaks. Due to heavy use, your kitchen sink, in particular, is prone to leaking. Check for leaks as soon as you observe water leaking around the sink strainer, faucet, or any other portion of the sink.
All exposed pipes in and around the home should be inspected as well. Keep an eye out for microscopic cracks or holes that may not be visible at first. Looking for moisture or discolouration on walls is one technique to check for water damage. These are frequently indicators that your pipes are leaking.
