Living in Florida has its advantages — the sun, the heat, and the beach are all benefits of living in the sunshine state. Unfortunately, some of these advantages can negatively affect your plumbing.
Experiencing one or more of these plumbing problems does not have to be physically, emotionally, or financially overwhelming, though. This guide will help you learn a few common plumbing problems in Florida and how your contractor can help.
1. Scaling
The FAS, or Florida aquifer system, is the state's main source of groundwater. In certain parts of Florida, such as the Panhandle and South Florida, the aquifer is deeper. As water moves through these parts of the aquifer, it picks up sediments and minerals.
Water moves from the aquifer and into your home's plumbing, but water is not the only thing moving through your pipes — the different sediments and minerals will also flow through and build up inside your pipes.
These minerals cause scale buildup inside your pipes, which can lead to a variety of problems. The presence of this scale buildup can reduce water flow through your pipes and cause clogs. Heavy buildup of these minerals can wear down your pipes, as well, causing costly leaks.
While you cannot change your water source, installing a water softener can help remove some of the minerals before they affect your pipes and fixtures.
2. Corrosion
Pipes in any part of the country may corrode. However, Florida homeowners should be especially concerned about corrosion in their plumbing system.
Sediment and minerals are not the only thing found in your home's water supply. Recent studies have shown many hazardous contaminants may be found in your water supply, especially since South Florida's drinking water is drawn from groundwater.
The chlorination process is effective at removing some of the contaminants in most cases. However, even small amounts of chlorine in the water supply can lead to other problems.
Chlorine can quickly eat away at the interior of your pipes and plumbing fixtures, causing them to rust and corrode. This corrosion can cause leaks, which may lead to extensive water damage and costly repairs.
Most people feel they are safe from corrosion because they have copper plumbing, but that is not entirely true. If your local water supply has a lower pH level, a chemical reaction can occur, increasing the risk of corrosion even though copper pipes are meant to last as long as the house.
In most cases, replacing a section or all of your pipes will be necessary if the corrosion is significant. This will reduce the risk of further damage and overwhelming leaks, but you should also have a professional test your water quality.
3. Pests
Florida is surrounded by water and several creatures that thrive in this hot, humid, and wet state. Because they are so prominent in the area, frogs, snakes, lizards, and even alligators are common unwanted house guests.
Many of these amphibians and reptiles are small and flexible enough to move from the local water source up through pipes and into various areas of your home. It is not uncommon for a homeowner to find a lizard in their home or a frog in their toilet or shower.
Although frightening, having a frog, snake, or lizard in your pipes can also be dangerous to your plumbing system. These unwelcome creatures reduce the flow of water and waste in and out of your home, affecting the efficiency and function of your plumbing system.
If you constantly deal with frogs and other unwanted creatures in your home's plumbing, consider having your main drain line inspected with a scope. This will help plumbers determine if there is damage or openings allowing the pests in through the plumbing.
For more information on preventing plumbing issues in your Florida home, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc., today.
