Why did my water service break?
Material failure is a common cause of water service leaks with
plastic piping. Over time pipe materials wear out. Hard water,
chlorine, ammonia, and acids will shorten the life of any water
pipe.
Ground shifts As the ground freezes and thaws throughout the
seasons the ground tends to shift adding extra stress or crushing
the water
pipe. This added stress may cause the pipe to fail.
Roots may have worked their way into the pipes over time causing
them to break open or leak.
What about copper water services?
Most failures with copper water services result form the acids
in the water or ground that deteriorates copper. In both cases
there is always the possibility of improper installation.
How old is my water heater?
In most cases the manufacture date is encoded in the serial number
of the heater, located on the plate on the front of the water
heater.
Why does the hot water from my faucet smell?
This is caused by a chemical reaction between minerals and acids
in the water and the anode rod in the water heater. If you do
have this problem you might want to think about having your water
tested and getting a water conditioner installed.
What is a pressure reducing valve?
It has been determined that pressures above 80 psi cause premature
faucet wear and can lead to joint failure in a water piping system.
Thus a PRV is installed to keep the pressure in your home at
a regular level that is not harmful to the pipes in your home,
usually about 50 psi.
High pressure makes your toilet run
(even with new ballcock)?
If your water pressure is so high that it leaks past a new ballcock
- then you need a pressure-reducing valve.
Other water pipes, connectors, clothes washing machine
hoses and your water heater could leak or break. Best to get
a pressure regulator if your pressure to the house is more
than 60 pounds (80 is code throughout most of the U.S.).
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