To commemorate the week water utilities, environmental advocates and others across North America will celebrate drinking water through school events, public presentations and community festivals. They will also provide their communities with important tips for protecting our water supplies and conserving resources.
“I don’t care why these pipes aren’t working!” one of the residents yelled. “I pay $60 a month for water! I just want my toilet to flush! Why do I need to know how it works?”
The person quoted above just wants their water to work. What many people don’t understand is that our water system is a luxury to those that lived before. Imagine walking a mile for a bucket of your daily water supply. For several generations, we have had the convenience of running water and we forget how good we have it. However, there is a cost.
An E.P.A. study last year estimated that $335 billion would be needed simply to maintain the nation’s tap water systems in coming decades. In states like New York, officials estimate that $36 billion is needed in the next 20 years just for municipal wastewater systems.
Saving U.S. Water and Sewer Systems Would Be Costly
Since our water infrastructure is aging, it needs continued maintenance. The cost may seem high, but it should be considered an investment in our future as we know it.
Pipeline video inspections identify which issue you may be having. If your sewer line is blocked, we can find out what the source of the problem is, and provide video documentation to you.
As 2010 looks to be extra cold for the middle states, make sure you and your home are prepared for freezing conditions.
See what the Farmer’s Almanac has to say about the winter of 2010:
According to the 2010 Farmers’ Almanac, this winter will see more days of shivery conditions: a winter during which temperatures will average below normal for about three-quarters of the nation.
A large area of numbingly cold temperatures will predominate from roughly east of the Continental Divide to west of the Appalachians (see map). The coldest temperatures will be over the northern Great Lakes and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. But acting almost like the bread of a sandwich, to this swath of unseasonable cold will be two regions with temperatures that will average closer to normal—theWest Coast and the East Coast.
This video from CBS explains issues with broken pipes and freezing plumbing.
If you suspect you have a leak contact The Original Leak Specialists.
When your plumbing system leaks in or under your foundation, it can be referred to as a “slab leak.” It doesn’t mean your foundation is leaking, it just means your plumbing is leaking under or in the foundation.
There are four ways that your plumbing will develop a leak under a slab:
Underground pipes make contact with soil on the exterior of the pipe and water on the inside. Water balance and a charged ground could induce electrolysis in metallic pipes, causing corrosion from the inside or outside of the pipe and eventually causing holes in the pipe.
Hot water lines will more likely corrode from the outside in due to the reaction of the heat and the contents of the soil surrounding the pipe.
Cold water lines generally deteriorate from the inside out due to electrolysis being created on the inside of the pipe.
Electric lines running beneath the slab can also energize metallic pipes and induce electrolysis resulting in corroded pipes.
Older homes with copper pipe usually suffer from chronic plumbing failures due to corrosion. Sometimes the situation calls for a complete repiping of the plumbing. Less invasive repairs can be made with an in-place pipe coating depending on the state of the pipes and the construction layout.
As water travels through plumbing, vibrations, expansion and contracting may cause the pipe to rub against concrete, gravel, rebar, or other pipes depending on the construction. Over time, the constant vibration and abrasion of the pipe will grate the pipe until it springs a leak.
If pipes are insulated and constructed with stabilizing supports, the vibration can be minimized, prolonging the life of the pipes while protecting if from being exposed to excessive wear.
Additionally, bad joints and lack of coupling adhesion can lead to abrasion at the joints, leading to faster and higher volume leaks.
Underground pipes may experience high levels of pressure from earthquakes, or poor construction. Pipes can be crushed or creased under this type of pressure, depending on the area of pressure. Creased pipes may cause a restriction in flow and low pressure. Additionally, a crease, bend or crimp in the pipe will allow uneven wear and the water will eventually create a hole at the problem areas. Crushed pipes can cause massive leaks over time that wash the soil from under the foundation, putting your property at risk of greater damage.
Pipes need to be spaced and insulated properly in order to avoid being crushed or creased. Many times a crushed or creased pipe can be repaired without a full repipe of the home.
During construction, faulty workmanship may not only require rework, but also may result in damage to construction work performed by others.
