Mountain areas are beautiful and serene places to live in.
This is all due to the picturesque view, fresh air, and good rapport with nature.
This, however, is not without issue.
One of the biggest issues that you will have, especially if you have a vintage home in Woodland Park, is plumbing-related.
Although all homes are prone to plumbing challenges at some point, homeowners in Woodland Park are likely to experience these problems quite regularly.
This is because of fluctuating temperatures, high altitudes, uneven terrain, and other mountain living conditions, which can take a toll on your home’s plumbing system.
This article looks at different mountain plumbing challenges and available solutions to consider for your Woodland Park home.
Repairing Burst Pipe
Freezing Temperatures and Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are among the biggest problems that residents of Woodland Park face, especially in winter. The season lowers temperatures considerably. This makes water in poorly insulated pipes freeze and expand. That creates burst or cracked pipes. Once that occurs, the plumbing system will not only be disrupted in providing water, but it also causes expensive water damage, which is sometimes really expensive to fix.
As you do not have plans to spend crazy amounts of money on repair, it is rational to prevent this from occurring in the first place. The simplest way of doing that is by piping insulation. That is especially relevant to pipes found in uninsulated areas like crawl spaces, basements, and exterior walls.
Sloped Terrain and Drainage Issues
The sloping terrain of Woodland Park presents huge plumbing nightmares to homeowners in this region. This is because sloping lands affect water movement around and away from your house. For instance, in the event the ground slopes to your house, there is a likelihood of it causing water collection at your house’s foundation. This can cause basement seepage, erosion, or even a compromised foundation in the long run.
To prevent such issues, the drainage system has to be planned in a way that the slope is also considered. Such considerations could be made using solutions like French drains, retaining walls, or downspouts and gutters installed strategically. Such additions can help direct water away in a safe manner.
Water Quality Issues
Water supplied in Woodland Park comes from nature like springs or wells. It is likely that such water can be mineralized. Iron, magnesium, and calcium are some of the minerals found in such water. These elements harden the water, producing a myriad of plumbing issues for the people staying here. Hard water leads to mineral depositing in appliances and pipes. This is an extremely expensive problem, which not only makes your plumbing system underperform but also decreases its lifespan tremendously.
A good solution for this is to invest in regular water testing. This should help to ensure safety of the water that is getting into your home.
Aging Infrastructure in Older Homes
If you own a historic home in Woodland Park, chances are that the plumbing system is old and may thus require immediate attention. Historic homes in the town were built with materials that are no longer considered best for modern plumbing requirements. A case in point is galvanized steel pipes, which are bound to rust and corrode over time.
The best way to deal with such a problem is to update your plumbing system. As you do this, make sure that corrosion-resistant materials are used. You also need to ensure that the system has proper insulation. Such actions can go a long way in helping to prevent plumbing issues and extend the lifespan of your home’s plumbing infrastructure.
Water Pressure Fluctuations
Due to the high elevations of Woodland Park, gravity can affect the proper flow of water, leading to reduced pressure on plumbing systems. The result of this will be slow-running faucets, weak showers, and inconsistent water flow.
Since you don’t want to experience such issues, consider installing water pressure regulators. You can even upgrade the pipes to larger diameters. A water booster system can also help to ensure steady flow of water at consistent pressure levels, regardless of the changes in elevations.
There are so many advantages of living in Woodland Park. But the area is plagued by a high degree of plumbing problems for inhabitants here. These include water pressure fluctuations, frozen pipes, and water quality issues. The only best way of averting such issues is to study them and then come up with preventive measures such as insulating pipes, repairing the drainage system, and fitting pressure regulators.