Whether you take the stairs at work, or you avoid eating fried food, chances are pretty high you at least make some effort to look after your health. And any water damage San Diego company will warn you that making some efforts to protect your home from water damage entails taking precautionary steps to look after your plumbing. Without a plumbing system in good working order, you not only run the risk of damaging your appliances but you are also gambling the integrity of your home’s internal and external integrity. Most water damage San Diego technicians respond to jobs in thick pipe bursts cause a great deal of flooding—a devastating occurrence that requires immediate water damage restoration services by a certified local company. Remember, your plumbing is a life-sustaining force that feeds your home and keeps it in good working order. By taking care of your pipes, you are protecting your biggest investment!

Clay and Cast Iron Pipes

Any water damage San Diego team warns that if your home was built when the Boer War ended and the plumbing has never been updated, it is only a matter of time until your plumbing falls apart and floods your home. In the early 1900s virtually all homes used clay and cast iron pipes—materials that have a life expectancy of 75-100 years. All it takes is for someone to do the math and this raises some pretty urgent red flags. According to major roofing and home inspector companies, updating your plumbing will increase your home’s value with an ROI of 260 percent! So when you price a new plumbing system with plastic, more durable parts, don’t be scared off by the sticker price. You will get that money back and it is better to invest in your home now then wait for a plumbing failure to cause massive damage AND require a new plumbing system.

Hard Water

Hard water may not be harmful to human health, but it has been known to cause pipe bursts in homes and businesses across the country. Hard water contains mineral deposits like calcium and, over time, these minerals cling to the inside walls of your pipes and create a buildup much like plaque buildup on teeth. When the deposits get too thick the space allowed for water travel narrows until it closes off and causes pipe bulging. Eventually the pressure will become too great and a pipe burst will ensue. Water damage San Diego companies advise their customers to go to any hardware store or home improvement center and pick up a simple hard water testing kit. But if you see white crusty marks on your showerhead, on your dishes or around your faucets, you definitely have hard water. But there is no need to panic; just get a water softener and add a treatment to your supply once every six months and you will be sound as a pound!