5 Ways Your Home's Plumbing Affects Your Family's Health

Having a plumbing system that’s in good working order is oftentimes taken for granted. It’s simply one of those things that goes unnoticed when it’s working as intended but can be a huge headache when it isn’t. One of the main consequences of a faulty plumbing system is the lack of proper water supply in your home, not to mention the inability to properly dispose of your wastewater. In such cases, you’ll have to rely on professional plumbers Dunedin homeowners trust to diagnose the issue and get it fixed right away before it gets worse.

Beyond getting your daily routines disrupted, however, the state of your plumbing system can actually affect the health of your household members. To illustrate, here are some ways in which your home’s faulty plumbing can potentially affect your family’s well-being.

1. Contaminated Water Supply

In most places across New Zealand, households rely on their plumbing system to access a supply of clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and other needs. If this water supply gets contaminated, it can pose a major health hazard to your family. One way your household water supply can be contaminated is through rusted or corroded pipes, which can disperse copper or other metallic substances into the water. Also, deteriorating water pipes such as those with cracks can make your water supply vulnerable to bacteria, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals.

The negative effects of drinking or making contact with contaminated water may vary, depending on the amount ingested or the length of exposure. For instance, drinking, cooking, and bathing with contaminated water may lead to various health issues such as stomach problems, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin irritation, rashes, and more.

2. Sewage Exposure

Another important function of your plumbing system is to make sure that wastewater is delivered away from your home and into the sewer system with as little contact with you as possible. This is because any level contact with sewage matter can result in various health complications. For example, even just trace amounts of sewer gas can contain harmful compounds like methane, hydrogen sulphide, and ammonia. These substances can cause respiratory problems, nausea, headache, or even convulsions and unconsciousness in severe cases.

To make sure your plumbing safely eliminates sewage from your home, regularly have your pipes inspected for any signs of leaks, cracks, or clogs. If your drainage system isn’t working properly or you’re detecting foul odours from it, you should immediately call on an emergency plumber in Dunedin to fix the issue and prevent any sewage exposure.

3. Mould and Mildew Growth

Leaks in your plumbing system may seem insignificant at first, especially if they’re not creating that much of a mess yet. However, if left unchecked, even small leaks can cause large damp areas in your walls, floors, and ceilings that can then encourage mould and mildew growth. If you have a family member who already has allergies or respiratory problems like asthma, then mould spores coming from these fungi can prove to be hazardous to their health. Moreover, long-term exposure to mould may also lead to chronic sinus issues, throat irritation, and fatigue. In particular, black mould produces mycotoxins that can trigger serious respiratory issues.

Knowing this, make sure to have any leaks fixed right away by your trusted plumber to avoid creating a mould- and mildew-prone environment. You may also consider using a dehumidifier in damp spaces to prevent mould growth.

4. Backflow Issues



When your pipes are obstructed or if there are sudden pressure changes in your plumbing, backflow issues can occur. This refers to when wastewater flows back in the opposite direction instead of towards the drainage, thus contaminating your home’s clean water supply. A cross connection between different plumbing systems—for instance, your pipes that transport clean water coming into contact with pipes mainly used for sewage disposal—can also lead to backflow.

To prevent this kind of issue and ensure your family’s water supply is always safe to use, you may ask your local plumber for backflow prevention devices that can be installed in your plumbing fixtures. Have your plumbing system regularly inspected as well to ensure there’s no cross connection between pipes.

5. Increased Humidity from Leaks

Last but not least, constant leaks can cause increased humidity in your home, which doesn’t only make rooms feel stuffy but can also make it easier for bacteria, viruses, and dust mites to thrive. These can then trigger allergies or lead to respiratory issues. Moreover, prolonged exposure to excessive humidity can also lead to various skin problems such as acne or rashes.

Always conduct regular inspection of your pipes to ensure there are no leaks. Keep high-humidity areas well ventilated as well, such as by adding exhaust fans in your bathroom or kitchen, to maintain a balanced indoor humidity level.

Make Your Home Safer by Getting Your Plumbing Issues Fixed

As you can see, various plumbing issues can easily cause health complications for your family. To prevent such cases from escalating, make sure you get any plumbing issues fixed right away. Our team of expert plumbers here at Mains Plumbers are always ready to respond to any plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting needs you may have. Just give us a call at 034886000 or contact us through our website and let us get the job done to keep your home plumbing in good shape and your family safe.