The plumbing system in your kitchen is central to your daily routine. These 23 signs indicate that you may need to make upgrades soon.
1. Frequent Leaks
Frequent leaks indicate that your plumbing system may have pipe damage under the sink, running from your dishwasher, connected to your refrigerator, or elsewhere. Ignoring frequent leaks can result in problems that worsen with time and put your home at risk of costly water damage.
2. Running Water Meter
If your water meter runs without a faucet turned on, chances are you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. You can prevent this problem by having the damaged pipes removed and replaced with new ones.
3. High Water Bills
Frequent leaks contribute to high monthly water costs. You can also make your home more water-efficient and lower your carbon footprint with a kitchen plumbing upgrade.
4. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can indicate you have a buildup of sediment or debris in your kitchen’s plumbing system. This sediment buildup can consist of calcium, lime, and other materials. Low water pressure can also result from a leak somewhere in the pipes in your kitchen or a clog.
5. Discolored Water
When you turn on a faucet in your kitchen, you expect clear water to run from it. Discolored water that is brown or yellow can indicate a problem like corrosion in the pipes. The best way to deal with corroded pipes involves having a plumbing technician remove and replace them.
6. Slow Draining
Slow draining can occur because of a variety of issues inside your plumbing system. A clog can impede the flow of water, for example.
7. Noisy Pipes
Noise coming from inside your pipes can suggest several issues. Odd noises can occur because of clogs, as well as abnormal water pressure. Old or damaged plumbing can also make noises because of loose components or parts like washers and valves that need replacement.
Loud banging noises coming from your kitchen plumbing can suggest a problem like high water pressure. Water hammer is another name for loud banging noise from inside the pipe. A water hammer can require a plumbing upgrade to resolve.
8. Corrosion
If you see corrosion on the pipes in your kitchen, you should upgrade them to new ones. Corrosion commonly occurs when pipe material breaks down over time. If there is corrosion on the inside of the pipes, this can cause water contamination issues.
9. Frequent Clogs
Frequent clogs do more than just create an inconvenient situation. They also put your home at risk of water damage. They can attract pests like drain flies and gnats if they consist of grease and food.
10. Outdated Materials
If you buy an older home, chances are there may be outdated materials in the kitchen’s plumbing system. Outdated materials have a higher risk of damage and failure. You can mitigate that risk by having a plumber take out the old materials and install new ones that should last many years and work better.
11. Age
If a plumbing system is more than 20 to 50 years old, it could have reached the end of its practical and safe use. Rather than hinge your daily routine on a decades-old plumbing system, you can have a plumbing professional take it out. We can install a new, upgraded kitchen plumbing system in its place.
12. Foul Odors
Old and outdated plumbing can develop foul odors that spread throughout your house. Your house can take on a musty, mildewy smell. Clogs in your pipes can produce similar smells.
13. Algae Growth
Algae growth around and inside of pipes and drains suggests a leak somewhere in the plumbing. Algae also create unpleasant smells and can trigger allergy symptoms and a general feeling of being unwell.
14. Compliance with Building Codes
If any of the plumbing fixtures in your kitchen no longer meet local building codes, you should replace them. A code inspector might inspect your home and kitchen after you remodel or during the process of trying to sell your home. If the inspector tells you that your existing plumbing no longer complies with current building codes, you must upgrade it to avoid a code violation or an expensive fine.
15. Foul-Tasting Water
When the water coming from your kitchen tap tastes unpleasant, you cannot safely use it for consumption. You may even hesitate to wash your dishes with it. The bad taste can come from a buildup of hydrogen sulfide or bacteria inside your outdated or damaged plumbing.
16. Sewage Backup
A backup of sewage can occur because of a major problem like tree roots growing into your pipes. The most practical remedy for tree root growth involves taking out the affected sections of the plumbing and replacing them with new pipes.
17. Visible Signs of Damage
You can also move forward with an upgrade if you see visible signs of damage in your kitchen plumbing. The damage can include large cracks in the pipe running under your sink or holes in the water line behind your refrigerator.
18. Water Temperature Fluctuations
When the water temperature in your kitchen fluctuates, it can indicate a problem like a leak or inadequate insulation around the pipes. This issue can also stem from pipes that are not the proper diameter to meet the demand for hot water in your home.
19. Green Stains
If you see green stains in your kitchen sink, you probably have corrosion somewhere in your pipes. Copper leaching into your water causes corrosion. Corroded copper can turn plumbing fixtures like porcelain sinks green or blueish green. Low pH in the water can eat away at the copper pipes and fittings. It can also lead to expensive damage to your kitchen plumbing.
20. Soggy Landscaping
Soggy spots in your landscaping can indicate you have an underground leak. You may also notice very green spaces. Soggy landscaping becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and pests. This may affect the plumbing system in your kitchen.
21. Frequent Repairs
Frequent repairs can indicate the need for a kitchen plumbing upgrade. Those costs can eventually total more than half of what the current plumbing system is worth. Once they reach that amount, you may no longer find it prudent or cost-effective to keep the current plumbing system.
22. Aesthetics
Finally, if fixtures like your tap, faucet, and sink, look stained, aged, and scratched, you can improve the look of your kitchen with upgraded plumbing fixtures. The newer plumbing fixtures not only will work better and provide you with more reliable service than old and outdated ones. They might also provide a boost to your home’s value.
Our professional and knowledgeable team at Davis & Green can upgrade the plumbing system in your kitchen and resolve these common plumbing issues. We not only work on plumbing but also service heating and cooling systems. Our locally operated business in Richmond, VA, also provides handyman services and installs and works on generators.
Contact us when you need to upgrade the plumbing system in your kitchen.
