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Water serves an important role in your household and the local community. Without it, it cannot be easy to maintain an acceptable level of environmental hygiene. Besides that, most local businesses and industries may rely on it for daily production activities. For the water to reach your residential or commercial property in Arlington, TX, it first has to pass through a network of pipes or canals managed by your local water utility service provider. From here, it enters your home’s or business’s plumbing system, allowing it to reach indoors.

The municipal-government-owned water supply system is known as the water main, and it’s connected to your home’s plumbing infrastructure through the waterline. Essentially, your residential water line ensures that you have access to clean and safe water whenever you need it. However, both the water main and the line can develop problems that may leave your residence, and sometimes, even your locality without water. Research shows that around 850 water main breaks happen in the US daily.

As for water lines, they form part of the entire plumbing infrastructure. Any damage they may sustain can pose a major inconvenience for you and the inhabitants of your residence. Water lines aren’t meant to last forever. Depending on the materials used, they may last for a maximum of between 50 to 70 years. With that in mind, read on to learn more about water line repairs, including the leading causes of water line damage. You’ll also find out some of the factors you should consider before hiring a repair service professional.

Common Causes of Water Line Damage

There are many reasons why you may need to seek assistance from your local water line repair professional. Below are some of the common causes of water line damage.

Substandard Installation Services

Whether your residence requires a water line installation, repair, or replacement service, you should ensure that you hire a trained professional to do the job. Everything from the selection of piping materials to the final installation of the water line should be handled by a qualified plumbing expert to guarantee operational efficiency and long-lasting service. This can help reduce the probability of unexpected breakdowns or eliminate the chances of unforeseen mishaps.

Conventional Wear and Tear Over Time

Water lines may be made of copper, PVC, steel, iron, or CPVC. However, none of these materials are immune to gradual deterioration over time due to wear and tear. For instance, if your Arlington, TX, home’s plumbing system comprises copper pipes, they can last for between 20 to 50 years.

After that time, the plumbing will slowly start to fall apart and leaks may become more frequent. You may require the services of a water line repair professional after every 10 years. Your local plumbing service contractor can patch up minor leaks or replace certain sections of the water line to keep the problems from worsening.

During this time, they may recommend replacing the entire water line altogether if there’s extensive damage. This may be a cheaper alternative than making multiple repairs down the road.

Overgrown Tree Roots

The bushes and trees you may have planted in your yard to boost its aesthetic appeal can harm your home’s water line. As their roots continue to grow, they may penetrate the piping material, sometimes causing pipe bursts. In other instances, the root infiltration may result in blockages that can affect the efficiency of your home’s plumbing infrastructure.

When dealing with overgrown tree roots, you should seek professional solutions from your nearest water line repair expert. Tree roots can grow far from the trees or bushes, making it difficult to determine the extent of the water line damage.

Your water line service technician may have the tools needed to identify water line problems without having to dig up your whole backyard. Once they’ve mapped out the extent of the damage, they may recommend minor repairs or replacement services as needed.

Ground Shifts

During the installation of residential water lines, technicians often presume that the soil’s status quo will remain static for the foreseeable future. However, certain conditions may cause some layers of the soil to move, which can disrupt the course and shape of water lines.

The adjustment may sometimes require you to seek assistance from a water line professional near Arlington, TX. Soil erosion can also expose your home’s water line to factors that can exacerbate its rate of deterioration.

You can prevent such scenarios by consulting your nearest water line service expert. They can help you determine the ground layout in your residence, the type of ground movement it may experience, and the impact the shift may have on the plumbing.

By doing this, your contractor can execute a water line replacement service to prevent damages in the future. They may also install reinforcements that can help the water line maintain its shape and integrity.

Constantly Fluctuating Thermal Conditions

Outdoor temperature conditions can significantly impact the structure of your home’s water line. If you live in a region that experiences frequent fluctuations between hot and cold weather, your home’s plumbing pipes can be affected by the freezing and thawing of the water flowing inside them.

Fortunately, your local water line repair professional can provide effective and long-lasting solutions. Besides identifying and fixing the problematic areas, they may also install piping insulation to prevent constant freezing and thawing.

There are different types of insulation that your water line contractor can provide. However, most often recommend installing frost-proof outdoor spigots and wrapping. Depending on the extent of the damage resulting from the temperature fluctuations, your technician may recommend insulating only the portion that’s significantly affected. Despite that, you should keep in mind that homeowners that opt to insulate the entire line may experience better results.

High Water Pressure

Many homeowners in Arlington, TX, may fail to realize it, but high water pressure can cause extensive water line damage. If your home’s water gauge is improperly calibrated, the water pressure may get too high, causing pipe bursts. Luckily, water line damage as a result of high water pressure can be easily avoided. You can ask your local water line repair service provider to mount a device that can ensure that the water pressure remains at an acceptable level. Such devices include a faulty pressure regulator or a pressure-reducing valve. Your technician can help you choose the right one based on your needs.

Acidic Soil Conditions

As aforementioned, the soil on your property can impact the structural integrity of your residential plumbing system. Its chemical composition can make some piping materials corrode. The rate of corrosion may depend on the type of material used. For instance, water line repair experts advise homeowners to be careful with copper plumbing pipes as acidic soil conditions can elevate their rate of corrosion. You can tell if your home’s water line has been corroded by looking out for staining on the exterior side of the pipes. If you’ve noticed this occurrence, you should contact your water line professional.

They can check the soil pH and provide the appropriate solutions based on their findings. In some scenarios, they may recommend switching to a different type of plumbing material that may be better suited for the soil conditions in the region you live in. Alternatively, they can install some kind of insulation or a protective covering. The technicians may also recommend replacing the water line and trying to alter the soil’s pH by planting different types of vegetation. Others may front the idea of changing the soil on your property with one that has a suitable pH level, with the help of a professional landscaping company.

Signs That Your Home May Need a Water Line Repair Service

The US Environmental Protection Agency claims that the average American household has plumbing leaks that waste approximately 90 gallons of water daily. These leaks can go unnoticed and unresolved for a long time since plumbing pipes are often installed underground, where it can be hard to tell their state without professional assistance.

Although the water lines run beneath the ground, if they’ve been damaged, there may be signs that tell you it may be time to contact your water line repair professional near Arlington, TX. Take note of the following signs since identifying and resolving water line problems on time can help you avoid more damage to your residential plumbing infrastructure.

Water Puddles

If you see puddles forming in your yard and you can’t pinpoint their origin, there’s a chance that the water line may be damaged. These puddles may sometimes form inside the house, particularly below the sinks or on the floor. Regardless of where they occur, they’re a sign that you may have a burst plumbing pipe on your property.

If the damage is extensive, water may start flowing down the street. Under such circumstances, you should contact your preferred water line repair service contractor to prevent water wastage, which can run up your water utility bill pretty quickly.

Discolored or Cloudy Water

If the water you’re receiving in your residence seems cloudy or discolored; it may indicate a break in the water line. The water may become discolored if the damage on the pipes allows dirt and grime to find their way into the water intake infrastructure, making it muddy. Past that, the watercolor may also change if your home’s water line is aged, which can make it more vulnerable to rust buildup and corrosion. The water will eventually get discolored if the rust mixes with the water passing through the pipes.

In such cases, don’t hesitate to request professional solutions from your nearest water line repair expert. If there’s extensive rust buildup, the best option would be to replace the entire water line to guarantee the safety of the water you consume in your residence.

Astronomical Water Utility Bills

If you notice that you’re paying higher water utility bills each passing month, you should consider requesting a water line service technician to visit your property. It’s a sign that your water line may have leaks. Your contractor can examine your outdoor spaces to check for puddles or excessively damp spots to ensure that the issue doesn’t lie within the external water line.

The water line repair expert may also check your indoors for leaky faucets, toilets, or showerheads. Household leaks can result in extensive structural water damage if not identified and resolved on time. Consequently, you may have to spend a significant amount of cash on restoring your building’s structural integrity.

Poor Water Pressure

Low water pressure may happen due to various circumstances, and knowing the actual cause may be hectic if you’re unsure of what you’re looking for. If the loss in water pressure happens gradually, it may be due to pipe clogs, leaky plumbing appliances, or faulty pressure regulator valves. However, if the pressure drop happens suddenly, it may be time to schedule a professional water line repair service in your Arlington, TX, home.

Water lines are typically large pipes, which is why the decrease in water pressure can be noticed easily if they’re damaged. You can ask your neighbors if they’re experiencing the same problem. If they are, it’s a sign that the issue may be with your municipal water utility service provider.

If your local public water supply is in good condition, you should immediately contact your plumber to request a professional water line repair service. Your water line repair technician can patch up pipes with minor issues or cut off and replace some sections of your home’s water line to restore the efficiency of your residential plumbing system. They can also clear clogs that may be causing the water pressure to dip. This may involve advanced water line repair techniques such as hydro jetting. As previously discussed, tree roots may also clog your water line and cause leaks. A professional plumber can get rid of them and provide protective coverings to help maintain the integrity of the plumbing pipes.

Trust the Water Line Repair Professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Although the above information may be helpful, it can’t compare to the value of having a professional who you can rely on for comprehensive water line repair solutions.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, we have extensive experience serving residential and commercial water line repair needs in Arlington, TX, and the surrounding communities. Our technicians are well-versed in plumbing installation and replacement projects. Contact us today to discover how we can help you.