Monday, August 4th, 2014

Water, Water Everywhere; Not a Drop to Spare

Recent high profile water main breaks in LA, UCLA, and Nashville illustrate the importance of regular water line inspections and maintenance.

UCLA – 20 Million Gallons Lost 

Our Western States are in the midst of a legendary drought. Water restrictions abound. What’s the worst possible thing that could happen? Yep – a water main break of epic proportions. In just a few hours, 20 million gallons flooded the UCLA campus, including the parking garage. Over 700 vehicles were submerged in the parking garages.

Nashville – Break Affects 15,000

A pipe nearly three feet in diameter that was installed in 1973 burst 13′ underground. Located in a heavily wooded area near a railroad track, water crews face geographic challenges — replacing the main will take several days. In the meantime, Music City residents face water restrictions.

“Much of our drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life,” the American Society of Civil Engineers reported last year.

Is Our Piping Going Down the Drain?

Most drinking water infrastructure in America was built in the early 20th century, around the time of Roosevelt’s presidency – Teddy, not Franklin. A bully idea, clean drinking water delivered directly to the kitchen and bath revolutionized our standard of living.

But decades underground leads to hidden deterioration. According the National Association of Water Companies, (NAWC) there are about 240,000 breaks a year. Of those, about 50% have an average age of 47 years old. In older metropolitan areas, the news is bleak: In Los Angeles, a million feet of piping has been delivering water for at least 100 years. Imagine what the inside of those pipes looks like. Blech.

Good Pipes are a Good Insurance Policy

Closer to home, its a good practice to have your water main and household water lines inspected regularly. For the most part, homeowners can perform visual inspections for leaks, corrosion, and loose connections.

Underground inspections are best handled by a trained plumbing professional. Advanced technologies have led to the development of flexible micro camera and listening devices that help plumbers determine the condition of buried pipes.

With a regular schedule of preventive maintenance, homeowners can avoid costly pipe bursts and leaks. In Cincinnati, an area full of historic homes (and equally historic plumbing), it’s worthwhile to have pipes, tiles, and lines undergo a camera inspection.

Water You Waiting For? At Allied, we’re available to inspect residential cand commercial plumbing. Call or contact   Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.