(Newswire.net — September 19, 2013) Vancouver, BC — Typically, houses that are 40-to-50 years old, or more, have cast iron plumbing that is almost certain to have rusted and degraded significantly by now. This older plumbing will be put to the test with the heavy rains of autumn and winter.
As the ground around a home absorbs moisture, it has to expand. Though people rarely are aware of this expansion, it puts stress on house foundations in two ways. First, the added moisture content of the soil exerts an inward pressure on the foundation walls of a home’s basement. Secondly, the entire house is lifted slightly when the soil beneath it expands as it absorbs rain water.
Older cast iron plumbing that has rusted and weakened in the damp soil conditions of the Vancouver area is at risk of cracking and even breaking apart under these stresses, resulting in leaks that could be small or large. Even a small plumbing leak needs to be addressed, however. Signs that your home may be experiencing significant stress due to rainfall can be seen in cracks to the concrete walls and floor of the foundation, torn drywall tape, drywall cracking, doors that no longer close and floor heaving.
Free Plumbing Check-Up Included in Service Calls
The Mr. Rooter plumbing franchise in Vancouver offers a free water pressure inspection with every service call on request. Over the years they discovered that a large percentage of homes had higher than normal water pressure in the area. This constant pressure puts stress on pipes and is found to be the leading cause of failure. The free inspection identifies potential problems. Correcting the problem is very inexpensive and has the potential to save thousands in unnecessary expenses.
Sometimes hidden leaks behind walls or under floor boards can occur and when that happens damage to your home only becomes apparent when water starts leaking through the wall or onto the basement floor.
Don’t Wait Until You See a Problem
Should such evidence of structural damage occur in your Lower Mainland home, having your plumbing tested for leaks by a professional, such as Mr. Rooter Vancouver, is highly recommended. It is critical that plumbing leaks, whether in water supply or sewage removal, be identified and repaired as early as possible. Failure to do so will almost certainly result in very high expenses for foundation repairs or water damage to the wooden walls and floors of your home as well as your furniture and belongings.