How Plumbing Problems Can Threaten Your Health

By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

A clogged-up drain, leaky pipes and other plumbing problems can seem like minor hassles of owning a home. At the same time, ignoring these problems for too long can be dangerous to your health and well-being. A licensed plumber, JD Conrad, Vice President of Product Operations with Service Experts, a national home services provider, explains how some plumbing problems that, if not promptly addressed, can threaten good health.

Leaks Inside Walls or in Your Cabinets

Small leaks are a common homeowner concern. Most people initially find a water stain on a section of the wall with nearby plumbing or see moisture at the base of a cabinet. Both are often signs of slow leaks and water building up over time. Many homeowners delay calling a plumber, not understanding that even the smallest leaks trap moisture and become breeding grounds for mold.

“We often ask customers how long that stain on the wall has been there, and they might say a few weeks or months. Mold grows much more quickly than many of us realize,” Conrad said. “In ideal conditions, it starts growing within 24 hours. The spores disperse within about a week and then the growth accelerates. While this happens, people will start coughing, sneezing and feeling sick, and they don’t know why.”

“Moisture trapped in walls or beneath your cabinets can also draw in unwanted guests, like mice or cockroaches, which can carry diseases,” Conrad added.

Clogged Drainage and Sewer Blockages

“Clogs in your drainage and leaks in the sewer lines that go ignored can contribute to the spread of viruses and bacteria. If it gets bad enough it can lead to infections such as E. coli, hepatitis and salmonella. Clogged drains inside the home are usually noticeable and homeowners tend to call a plumber quickly because drain clogs may produce a bad smell,” Conrad explained. However, sewer lines several feet underground can be easily forgotten about because they’re “out of sight, out of mind,” but this could be a potentially dangerous way of thinking.

“Whenever you might have leaks under the slab, the issue might gradually surface. You’ll smell a foul stench outside. You will also notice your drains are a little slow, even areas away from the home might have some pooling of water where the sewer is” Conrad said. “These are all signs that it’s time you called a professional plumber.”

Water Main Leaks and Standing Water

The water main that leads from the municipal system to your home is the primary source for safe water for bathing, cleaning and more. After enough time, your water main could become damaged. Tree roots breaking to the pipe is a common culprit. One of the most telltale signs of a main water line problem is pooling water in the yard. Standing pools of water, even from a clean water supply line, can become a breeding ground for fungi, viruses and bacteria. A serious health concern associated with stagnant water is Legionnaires’ disease, from Legionella bacteria. It leads to severe pneumonia that causes lung inflammation.

Old Lead Service Lines

A long time ago, lead service lines were the most common choice used in home construction. While this practice was banned in 1986, there are approximately six to ten million lead service lines (LSLs) still functioning. Too much lead in a person’s bloodstream could lead to lead poisoning, which may be fatal or severely affect physical and mental development in children.

It’s not unusual for this kind of plumbing to gradually deteriorate. Homeowners may see a leak in a wall. Other times, a pipe may rupture entirely, resulting in a plumbing disaster. Regardless, a home with LSLs requires replacement.

“If you discover that your home has lead pipes, you’ll want to start planning how and when you’ll get them replaced,” Conrad said.

The Importance of Working with a Certified Plumbing Professional

Unlike your heating and cooling, which homeowners should have inspected biannually, checking the plumbing is not as common. However, staying on top of routine inspections will enable us to find leaks and clogs early on, hopefully saving you from pricey plumbing bills in the future. If you suspect the plumbing needs attention, you should try and schedule an appointment with a local plumber as soon as possible.

“It’s best to have your system inspected every two years,” Conrad said. “You can also be proactive by fixing faucet and showerhead leaks quickly, insulating exposed pipes, and being careful about what you put down drains. And it’s also important to keep an eye on the water pressure and your monthly bill. A drop in pressure or a water bill spike often indicates a plumbing problem.”

Stay ahead of major repairs and keep your home safe and healthy by learning more about the Service Experts’ Plumbing Services division.