Cracked and broken pipes can bring forth devastation to any home if left unsolved. And they can be caused by a lot of things. Some cracked and broken pipes are due to high water pressure, corrosion, clogs, freezing temperatures, and tree roots. Most of these causes are unbeknownst to many.
Once these broken and cracked pipes decide to finally wreak havoc, homeowners are into a very unpleasant surprise. If you want to know more, continue reading below to find out more information about the hidden dangers of cracked and broken pipes.
Mildew
Cracked and broken pipes bide their time to cause a huge disaster; however, they start becoming a menace the moment damaged pipes become big enough to introduce moisture or leak. One of the problems they can cause is mildew.
Many would chuckle when hearing mildew as a ‘danger.’ While it’s true that they can be relatively harmless, people shouldn’t ignore them. Mildew can still cause health concerns, particularly to people with select preexisting medical conditions. And if ignored, then it transcends to a much more annoying issue: mold.
So, if ever you see mildew surrounding your pipes, consider getting it checked, as you may want to know immediately how severely damaged your pipes are. And if ever the damage extends outside your home, you may want to get a pipe relining done.
Mold
People often confuse mold with mildew. Both are fungi, but the former can bring a lot more trouble. Consider mold as mildew’s big brother.
The biggest problem with mold is that it can spread spores faster than mildew. These spores can quickly cause allergic reactions, especially in people with asthma. When exposed for extended amounts of time, molds may cause fever and severe allergic reactions in humans.
Further, mold can significantly aggravate the health of people with chronic respiratory disease or immune suppression. It often starts with fits of cough and may lead to breathing difficulties and infections.
Pest Infestations
Growing mold is just the beginning of your problems with damaged and cracked pipes. The water from your damaged lines will attract pests and insects, leading to infestation.
Know that pests only need shelter, food, and water to thrive. The location of your pipes is a good shelter for these critters, while everything under your roof can be food for them—they’re not picky, after all. Add water to the mix, and you’ll help mosquitoes, shelter rats, and other small abominations proliferate in your living space, making home living a miserable affair.
Water Damage
Water damage doesn’t only happen when pipes burst. It starts early when leaks are left alone.
Cracked and broken pipes can start slow leaks that can cause water damage invisible to everyone. You should be aware that water damage doesn’t only affect walls and ceilings. In some severe cases, it may also cause foundation damage.
So, be sure to do regular inspections in your home. Some signs you should look for are stains, flaking paint, peeling wallpaper, or spots in your ceilings and walls. Remember that they can be easily missed, so peel your eyes wide open.
Denied Insurance Claims
Walls and ceilings won’t be your only problem with water damage caused by cracked or damaged pipes. You’ll worry about homeowner insurance claims as well.
For example, some insurers may cover the water-damaged properties (e.g., walls, carpets, et cetera) yet may not cover the repair or replacement of a burst pipe, especially if they discovered that you could’ve fixed the damaged or cracked pipe but didn’t do so.
Water Contamination
Leakage from a cracked or damaged water connection doesn’t only expel water; damaged pipes can also suck in water from the surrounding area.
Unfortunately, most water or liquid outside your water line isn’t exactly safe for consumption. And if this damaged point in your pipe is near a damaged sewage connection, you’d shudder to the horror of what your tap would taste like—not to mention the diseases you may contract from consuming dirty water.
Some of the common effects people can experience from contaminated water are the following:
- Nausea;
- Diarrhea;
- Vomiting;
- Gastrointestinal problems; and so on.
Gas, Fire, And Electrical Hazard
Keep in mind the following: exposed wires plus leaking water equate to fire and electrical hazards waiting to happen.
And when talking about cracked and damaged pipes, the first thing you may think about is water. Nonetheless, you should remember that most houses in the country have gas pipes. Even if there’s nothing to ignite a gas leak, the gas itself can pose a significant health risk. Thankfully, gas pipe leaks have become rare, but it’s a definite danger you should be aware of.
Conclusion
These are the hidden dangers of cracked and damaged piping. As you can see, the severity of the problems these pipes can pose to you can vary significantly. So, never risk yourself and your home. Always be proactive in checking in your lines regularly and get professional help, especially if you’re potentially dealing with a gas pipe leak.
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