Ft. Lauderdale’s Aging Pipes are Breaking Down
Posted in Pipe Repair, on March 11, 2020
In the last handful of years plumbers in Fort Lauderdale have seen a rise in cast iron pipe repair due to a high number of pipe breaks, aging plumbing infrastructure, and inclament weater. In December 2019 residents saw six sewer main breaks that month alone. Regardless of whether you live in a new or old building, there are a number of reasons that the pipes and sewers in your neighbourhood might need repair or at risk of breaking. The next time you need a water line repair you can skip searching for a 'plumber near me' and can contact the professional plumbers near Fort Lauderdale employed by Broward Plumbing.
What’s Happening Underground
With water erupting from the ground from Birch Road, Harbour Beach, George English Park, and other areas of the city, many people are wondering what exactly is happening to cause all these water line breaks.
City officials favour the explanation that our towns pipes are simply old. Many of Ft. Lauderdale’s sewage and water system runs through pipes that are 50+ years old, and after that many years of use, as well as a change in our understanding of plumbing and piping, many of the old pipes are simply giving up. While age is certainly a factor, an engineer interviewed by the Tampa Bay Times suggested that increased use from a population explosion (such as we’re used to seeing in the winter months) could also play a role - stress from more water flow could contribute to pressure changes that may cause cracks.
Whatever the cause, everyone agrees that this isn’t a problem that’s going to be resolved anytime soon. As with any such infrastructure project, time, money, and hard work are going to be needed to completely solve our problem with aging pipes - it’s estimated that repairs and replacements will cost Ft. Lauderdale residents $1.4 billion dollars in the next two decades.
What Can Homeowners Do?
Knowing the signs of a water line break and what you can do to reduce the damage to your property can help save you stress and money if a pipe breaks in your neighborhood. First, having good plumbing hygiene is key. Pay attention to what ends up in your drains - materials like clumping cat litter, grease, fat, oils, paper towels or coffee grounds can all cause problems in your home - as well as the whole neighborhood.
Secondly, preventative maintenance and water line repair can help protect you when things go sideways. Having one of Broward Plumbing’s licensed plumbers assess your property and do need or protective water line repairs can really pay off when a major line break happens. While there’s not much we can do about the city’s infrastructure, old pipes, cracked pipes, low water pressure and other problems in your home are well within our ability to help you solve.
Work with Broward Plumbing to Protect Yourself from Water Main Breaks
For local pipe repair and water line repair, you can count on Broward Plumbing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our family-owned and operated company uses the most current technology and equipment to serve both residential and commercial properties in Fort Lauderdale as well as Boca Raton and the rest of Broward Country. For full details, please contact us today.