5 Facts All Homeowners Should Know About Their Water Main & Sewer Pipes

Water Main & Sewer ContractorsServing Manhattan For Over 95 Years

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It is common for a homeowner to have a problem with their water main or sewer line for years before coming aware of a problem.

Many people tend to ignore the initial warning signs; nobody wants to believe that they may have a broken pipe.

Ignoring the warning signs tends to be major problem, the next sign of a problem may be an all-out failure of your water line or sewer. This means you may not have any use of water in your home and a potentially dangerous situation due to conditions underground.

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What happens if your pipes leak underground for weeks or months?

When a water main or sewer line leaks underground, the water flows out of the area where the pipe is broken and starts to erode the surrounding soil.

It is only a matter of time before the erosion is apparent above ground level, creating a sinkhole on your property or in the roadway.

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How old are the pipes on the outside of your home?

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• Most of the pipes throughout the country are more than 75 years old.

• With the average lifespan of a water main or sewer line being 65 years old, it may be cost effective to replace your pipes before you have an emergency situation.

• You can determine the age range and condition of your existing pipes by having your plumber look at the pipes as they enter your foundation wall

• You can also ask a licensed water main & sewer contractor to obtain records from DEP.

Have you recently experienced a sewer backup?

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It is important to understand why the sewer line is backing up and not only have your plumber clean it out each time you have a sewer problem.

If you have experienced more than one backup in a years’ time, it is very important to understand the cause of your problem and avoid putting a band aid on what may be an emergency waiting to happen.

Do you have trees near your home?

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• Tree roots are one of the primary factors leading to broken pipes. • It is common that trees roots will travel up to 50 feet from the base of the tree, grow into the pipes, and in

many cases, even crush the pipe. • If you have a house with old lead or clay pipes, you may be more prone to damage by tree roots.

Do your pipes experience a large change in temperature?

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• All older pipes are more prone to breaking when experiencing a change in temperature. • Broken pipes are most common in areas where there is a quick change in seasons. • There is a 35% increase in leaking water lines and broken sewer lines throughout the winter months. • As the seasons change, the pipes expand and contract which weakens the pipes. • If a pipe is already deteriorating and in a weakened state, the expansion will cause the pipe to crack.

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Harriswatermainandsewers.com 718-841-9569