Plumbing pipes allow people to enjoy water and gas supply in their homes, while plumbing drains allow for exit of wastewater from the property. With proper installation and maintenance, plumbing lines function reliably and last long. Otherwise, they may require frequent repairs, which can prove to be rather expensive in the long run.
Plumbing installed outside the home is susceptible to a number of different problems — some of which are discussed below so you can know how to remedy them:
Roots interference
Tree roots — it is easy to ignore the threat they pose to the health of your plumbing because they grow downwards — but they can cause some serious damage to your outdoor plumbing. If plumbing pipes and/or drains buried outside your property are leaky, they can lead to tree root intrusion. Tree roots tend to grow towards leaky plumbing lines in order to maximise their water uptake. When they grow into pipes or drains, they hinder proper flow of water/wastewater, in turn, resulting in blockages, burst pipes and other serious problems for homeowners.
When installing plumbing, it is important to lay down underground pipes and drains away from mature trees. You can also use tree root barriers to help prevent roots interference with outdoor plumbing lines. Tree root barriers come in handy when you need to redirect roots away from your outdoor plumbing pipes and drains.
Hose bib damage
In winter, your hose bib (the water supply valve protruding from the exteriors of your house, which is normally threaded to allow for a hose connection) may easily become damaged, especially if it isn't frost-proofed. In winter, water expands as it freezes. This can, in turn, cause your bib to burst. The best way to prevent this kind of damage is to cut off water supply to your hose bib during winter. Alternatively, you will need to invest in a frost-proofed bib that can withstand the harsh winter weather.
Damage to plumbing when performing home landscaping
Before embarking on any DIY projects on your landscape, make sure you adequately mark areas with underground plumbing and utility lines. This will help prevent disruption of plumbing service as well as expensive repairs resulting from damage to plumbing lines. You can check with your local plumbing company if you are unsure of the exact location of your outdoor plumbing lines.
If you're confronted with any outdoor plumbing issue you can handle yourself, you can always seek a professional plumber's help from a place like A and C Plumbing. They will know what to do.