Without proper piping systems, every modern home will be so much different than it is now. One of the main technological advancements of our society is piping indeed. These systems allow us to have a steady flow of water at all times, as well as a connection with the larger sewer systems. This is important for every family, especially in these modern times when even villages have proper piping systems.
Some people prefer living on a farm, and that’s something that’s getting very popular nowadays as strange as it may sound. It seems that these people are realizing the health benefits of living in a healthy and clean environment, eating homegrown food and taking care of your own animals by yourself. But, living on a farm is not that easy, especially when you have to deal with things such as underground piping.
Thankfully, in today’s article, we’ll explain some of the most important things you need to know on this topic.
1. Underground leaks can be dangerous
img source: stanford.eduDepending on what kind of a pipe is leaking, underground leaks are most of the time quite dangerous. Even if it’s water, the seepage can start spreading into the soil around the leak source. If this goes on for a lot of time and is untreated, it can be a problem. Erosion can become noticeable on the surface of the soil and in some drastic scenarios, your farm can experience huge sinkholes.
It really takes a lot for this to happen, but if a sewer pipe is leaking it can pollute your soil, and when you’re living on a farm, this can be a huge issue. Your crops can become intoxicated and the soil will be damaged for a long time, which is something that can make you suffer a huge economic loss if you live out of growing and exporting crops.
If you’re eager to learn more about underground pipe repairs, lpgs.com.au is a website where you can do so. Please note that DIY repairs are difficult but they can save you money if you manage to do them properly. If you are not experienced in it, it’s better to call a professional.
2. Tree roots can damage the underground piping system
If you live in an area with a lot of trees, which is quite common with farms, then you may experience a slightly higher risk of pipe damage. Trees, especially larger ones, grow roots way too deep into the ground. These roots don’t sound like something that can damage a metal pipe, but the truth is, they can. They can bend the pipe or burst it. It sometimes even happens that the roots crush the pipe entirely because of the pressure. It’s a good idea to structure your underground piping in an area where not many tree roots are present. If the pipes are made out of clay, which is the case with older farms, then the risk is even higher.
3. Warnings signs shouldn’t be ignored
When it comes to pipes and entire pipe systems, warning signs should never be ignored. One leak or a burst can cause a lot of damage to your property, and if you leave it untreated, it can be an even bigger problem. If you start experiencing faucet stammer, then that’s a serious warning sign. Signs of clogging are pretty obvious.
If you are not receiving water at all, or it’s far less than what you should be, it’s probably a burst or completely broken pipe. Warning signs are important and you shouldn’t ignore them, but the best way to know what’s going on with your pipes is to have access to them somehow. This is obviously tricky when they are buried underground or beneath your farm, which is once again why we recommend calling professionals in case you are experiencing negative things with your system.
4. Quick temperature changes will damage your pipes
It’s a well-known fact that huge temperature swings in most countries will damage different types of materials. And, this is especially true for pipes. Both pipes made out of clay and pipes made out of metal. In farms, temperature swings are common, but they will mostly depend on your living area. If the temperature changes for about ten degrees during the day and night cycle, your pipes can burst overtime. If they are well protected, however, the risk can be minimized.
Some modern materials that we have nowadays are resilient to temperature swings, but they are expensive and not a lot of farms in the United States have them.
5. The age of your pipes will have a lot of impact on their lifetime
Just like everything else in life, the age of your pipes will have the most impact on their lifetime. If they are very old and made with “outdated” materials, you’ll probably have to replace them soon. You should do this before you experience any problems whatsoever because then it’s twice the work. One of the most common factors for pipe damage is also the quality of the soil itself. If you have poor soil conditions then your pipes are at an increased risk for corrosion. Once again, this doesn’t apply for all materials, but it does for most of them. Out of all the soils that have a risk for something like this, clay soils are the most dangerous.
Conclusion
Living on a farm is a great thing, but not so much when pipes start being problematic. Underground piping is a concept that has tons of benefits, but, sometimes it makes things a lot more difficult than they need to be. Unfortunately, pipes are not indestructible, and although they last for a long time, replacements have to be made every once in a while.
Pipes often experience a lot of problems, such as bursts, clogs and just smaller leaks. But, the thing is, if you plan things properly and you do regular maintenance and checkups, your pipes will always be in the best possible condition, and you won’t have to deal with issues.