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Is Your Old Plumbing Harming Your Family?

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You probably work every day to keep your family safe. You likely put your young children in car seats, ensure your teens learn how to drive safely, feed them organic foods, and get them regular medical checkups. However, it often isn’t the things you do that affect them as much as the things you don’t even realize are a problem. Hidden issues with your old plumbing could be slowly harming your family. You should get informed so you can be aware of potential issues and take care of them today.

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The Age of Your Home Matters

If you live in a home built before 1986, you should have your pipes inspected. Older homes may have used piping materials that could pose a health risk. Lead pipes, in particular, were very popular but have been shown to leak lead into the water that flows through them. While this may not be a huge deal for the pipes running to the toilet or washing machine, it is an issue for those running to faucets. So, unless you know your plumbing has been upgraded, get them checked out by a professional. If lead is found, then find plumbing solutions that won’t cause risks to your family.

The Risk of Lead

Lead is such a serious problem that the government created regulations to prevent the use of lead pipes in new construction. Lead in drinking water is harmful to everyone. For adults, the risk comes with long-term exposure. It is much worse for children. Any child under six needs to be monitored for lead exposure.

Excessive lead exposure in young children can cause mental delays, physical development issues, and learning problems. In adults, exposure can lead to kidney issues and high blood pressure.

Be Aware When Buying

Even though there are regulations about building homes using lead pipes, there are no regulations about selling homes with lead pipes. Landlords, however, usually are required to make renters away of lead exposure risks when renting. So, if you are buying a home, be sure to inquire about the plumbing.

Lead Isn’t the Only Issue

You should be aware that lead pipes, while a major hazard, are not the only risk. There are other issues that could be lurking. Kidney damage can occur if you have galvanized pipes because they can pick up natural deposits that get into the water. Copper pipes may have been soldered with lead, which is an issue. In addition, copper can also leech into the water, which can cause kidney or liver damage.

Beyond the pipe materials, another common health hazard related to plumbing is leaks. If there is a prolonged leak that is dripping moisture into surrounding areas, it is a prime place for mold growth. Your family could be exposed to mold without you ever knowing simply because it is hidden away in a wall. That’s enough to convince you to have regular plumbing checks and maintenance done.

Don’t forget about your water heater, too. Your water heater stores water that it then heats up and send through hot water pipes. Even if your pipes are in great shape, if your water heater isn’t, you could still be serving up nasty water to your family. Rust is the most common issue in this case.

There are many plumbing related issues that can pose health risks to your family. While you may be aware of one of the most common risks, lead, you may not be aware of all the other risks. It is important to educate yourself and to keep your plumbing in good shape to ensure that your family’s health isn’t being put at risk by faulty plumbing issues. Simply call in a professional plumber to give your plumbing a good check and to put your mind at ease.

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