Your underground mainline is the first section of your plumbing system. It starts at your city connection and runs to the entrance of your home, where it branches into smaller lines that go to each of your bathrooms, laundry room/utility sink, kitchen, and so on.
If you live in an older house or an area with older houses, there’s a good chance that your underground mainline was installed when the area was first developed. This means your pipes and piping system may be very old, and thus, very prone to corrosion, leaks, wear and tear, etc.
The only way to avoid frequent repairs is to hire a professional to replace the old pipes and fixtures with the latest ones. However, this work can be pretty expensive, so it’s important to know signs that indicate issues with your mainline.
If any of these signs sound familiar, you must consider contacting a plumbing service that employs expert Gaithersburg plumbers to replace old underground mainline plumbing.
Frequent Clogs
If you’re constantly dealing with clogged drains, it’s a pretty good sign that your underground mainline needs replacing. Clogs are often caused by corrosion and sediment build-up in the pipes, both of which can be signs of an aging plumbing system.
According to records, toilet unclogging in Gaithersburg, MD costs around $123-$274. Spending so much on clogged drains frequently is an absolute waste of money. While mainline replacements will cost more, it would be a permanent solution to this issue.
Slow Drainage
If your drains seem to take forever to empty, that’s another sign of a clogged mainline. When the water can’t flow freely through the system, it backs up and causes drainage problems.
Clogged drains are caused by sediment build-up in the mainline. The sediment is often the result of corrosion caused by acidic water running through corroded underground pipes.
Expert Gaithersburg plumbers can diagnose drainage issues and recommend the next steps.
Leaks
Leaks are never a good sign, and they’re especially problematic when they happen in your underground plumbing. If you notice wet spots in your yard or your basement is constantly damp, you likely have a leaky mainline.
A plumber can look at your system to determine precisely where the leak is and how to go about fixing it. They are well aware of the building codes in Gaithersburg and will follow the rules accordingly.
Unstable Water Pressure
If your water pressure is sputtering and changing all the time, it could be a sign of deteriorated piping in your underground mains. Corrosion and rust inside the system narrow down the flow of water, which leads to low pressure and unstable supply.
High Water Bills
If your water bills have been creeping up lately, it could be a sign that there’s something wrong with your plumbing. One common cause of increased water bills is leaking in the mainline.
If you’re not sure whether your high bills are due to a leak, call an experienced Gaithersburg plumber to examine your mainline and drainage system.
Strange Noises If you’ve been hearing strange noises coming from your drains, it could be a sign that there’s something wrong with your plumbing. Blockages often cause strange noises in the pipes, and they can be an early warning sign of more significant problems to come.