Can My Plumbing Make Me Sick?

Many people wonder if their plumbing system will make them sick. The truth is that it definitely can if certain things happen like leaks or backups. Wastewater contains many pathogens and nasty bacteria. When your plumbing has issues, it can cause these materials to leak into the environment. This can expose you to poor water quality. It can result in life-threatening illness. Besides the risks associated with wastewater, water itself can lead to health issues.

Indoor Leaks

Leaks can make you sick. This is due to the fact that when water leaks and gets onto surfaces, it can create mold and mildew. For people with asthma and mold allergies, this can lead to asthma attacks and severe illness. Some people can get sick without having asthma or mold allergies. This is especially true if the mold is severe.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains can lead to many different problems. Clogged drains are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. They can cause horrible smells to be in your home. These smells can attract insects and other pests that can put you at risk for many illnesses.

Damaged Sewage System

A damaged sewage system can lead to wastewater backing up into your home. Since it is wastewater, this can lead to many disgusting things getting into your home. If you do not catch the backup soon enough, your entire house can become flooded. E Coli, hepatitis, and other illnesses can be lurking in this wastewater. Once it happens, it can be difficult to get your house cleaned. Illness can happen months later if the sewage system is not repaired.

Outdated Pipes

If you live in a home that is old, you may have lead in your pipes. Exposure to lead can cause many health issues, and lead to sickness. It is important to update your pipes if you have lead in them.

Preventing Health Issues

The best way to prevent getting sick from your plumbing is to make sure that you maintain your plumbing. You can do some of this yourself. Make sure that you do not flush things that are not supposed to go down the toilet. Address clogged drains as soon as possible and avoid using chemical drain cleaners. Make sure that you call a plumber if you have any issues.

You will also want to make sure that you have your plumbing inspected at least once a year by a plumber. They will be able to come out to look for any issues with your plumbing pipes. They can check your septic tank to ensure that it is in good shape. They can also check your pipes to ensure that they are not outdated. If there are any problems, they can address them before they cause any kind of illness. For example, if they find a leak, they will be able to fix it before you get an illness from mold growth.

Call Us Today

If you have any issues with your plumbing, or you want to make sure you do not get sick, please call us at Robert Bair today. Our team of plumbers is here to ensure that your plumbing is in good functioning order.