27 February 2024 , 16:09
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Keep an eye out for this sign because it could seriously cost you if left unattended.
There aren't many things more stressful than suddenly being whacked with a huge bill for your home that you were not expecting, and haven't necessarily got the budget for, which is why it is so important to do your best to stay on top of your home's maintenance.
Being aware of any changes in your home can save you a lot of money down the line if you act quickly - and your pipes are no exception. You might not often give your pipes a second thought - until something goes wrong - but keeping an eye out for this sign on them could stop you from facing a "bigger problem" down the line, a plumbing expert has warned.
As reported in The Express, the sign you should be looking out for is if the pipes near your water tank have turned green, which can mean they are gradually weakening - although there is a really easy fix that can sort this issue out, if you notice it in time.
Expert Peter Clayton from Trade Plumbing, explained that pipes turn green like this because of oxidation: "Copper pipes turn green when they go through a process called oxidation; this is a result of the pipes being exposed to both oxygen and water causing the metal to break down. The green colour is referred to as patina and it could indicate a larger problem with your plumbing system."
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Patina isn't necessarily a cause for alarm, and it doesn't impact the quality of the water you're getting through your taps, but if you see it in your home, it's best to try and clean it off at the time, rather than wait for it to turn into "bigger problems ahead".
It can indicate that there is a gradual leak near your hot water tank, commonly this would be a fault with the joint made from copper that attaches your pipes to the tank itself, and "if this copper joint is faulty or poorly fitted it will leak small amounts of water and overtime, resulting in oxidation of the pipes".
This could be costly in the long run - leading to bursting or cracking of the pipes in your home, so Clayton recommends making a paste from common household items to clean it off. All you need to do is grab some baking soda and white vinegar and mix it into a paste in equal parts. The acidic nature of this combination will mean that after working it onto the affected area and leaving it for about half an hour to do its magic, it can easily be wiped off with some dish soap and a cloth and your pipes will look brand new again.
You can pick up white vinegar from Tesco for just 35p, and Stockwell bicarbonate of soda for just 65p.
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