Why you need proper plumbing

It is important that you get a qualified plumber to lay the water pipes in your house because using the wrong or fake pipes will affect their effectiveness thus leading to a leakage which might ruin your walls.

What you need to know:

  • You might have a strong structure. However, with a wrong plumbing, this structure can easily collapse or the paint on your walls will start peeling due to a leakage.
  • Loziyo Mpiima, a plumber, advises that when looking for a genuine or good plumber, you should consider someone’s experience and then also identify with those who have done work with reputable companies.

Ignatius Kamya has built his house in four phases. He began with the foundation, then built it to the wall-plate, roofed it and is in the process of putting finishing touches.
However, before he can finalise with the work, sections of his walls are already giving way. His plumber Loziyo Mpiima, has told him that it is a result of the pipes he used to carry the water through to the bathroom and sink.
His regret though is that he compromised on cost when buying some of the materials used, something seasoned plumber Edward Kintu says can affect the strength of your house.
“Many times, I will quote materials for work and my bosses will go around to make inquiries. You will find that materials sold in some places are cheaper and of inferior quality compared to others. I explain to them that cheap things are expensive in the long run. That is why people experience problems like walls giving way or collapsing,” Kintu explains.
Kintu observes that there is been adoption of new pipes in plumbing.

Right material
“There are new pipes in the market. They are called PPR pipes which replaced the G1 pipes which were galvanised and used to affect walls. I now use PPR pipes; PN20 for hot water and PN16 for cold water. The advantage with these new pipes is that they do not bring the problem of leakages. They can ably contain the heat. Even if you touch the pipe, you will not feel the heat. They are mostly made of plastic,” Kintu further explains about the new type of pipes.

Common mistakes
“I always receive calls from people who complain about the same issue- their walls loosening up. Sometimes, I cannot do much because the house is already constructed and in place. I break parts and replace pipes. Sometimes if the heat in old pipe gets too much, it affects the walls. You need good pipes to deal with such issues,” Kintu adds.
Mpiima argues that away from the conventional plumbing problem, building materials used could be the reason for the weak walls, especially where builders cheat house owners by putting less than required construction materials when building, so the less the cement, the weaker the general structure.
Location is another issue Mpiima points at. “If a structure is located in a wetland, the owner needs a lot of knowledge and material to avert situations of his houses collapsing or flooding,” he observes.

Dealing with the problem
To deal with poor plumbing in homes, Kintu says he sometimes adds a layer of plaster and undercoat on the loosening walls to protect them.
“My advice to those planning to start building is to get strong and genuine materials and not compromise on quality for the sake of saving money. Sometimes the problems originates from the importers of construction material who opt to buy cheaper stuff because such stock is bought very easily in Uganda. However, there are some few companies who sell expensive but good quality stuff,” Kintu observes.

Effects of poor plumbing

A burst pipe can lead to indoor flooding which means spending more in repairs. As soon as you see a leaking pipe, or if you see that your plumbing is no longer functioning as it has always done, you should call a plumber to check out the situation.

Molding
Mold is probably the number one problem caused by leaking pipes under the sink and in the walls. With a sufficient amount of moisture, mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Long term leaks, especially leaky pipes inside wall cavities, often cause mold problems as the water remains stagnant, creating an ideal dwelling place for molds. Buildup of humidity can also cause mold problems.
Poor quality water
Poor water quality is another effect of a malfunctioning plumbing system. There are separate pipes for sewage and fresh water for the home. If there is a leak from either one, more-so the sewage pipe, health hazards are bound to occur. Foul smelling water from your faucet is an indication of a problem. Additionally, if you have got a bit of deterioration or rust in your pipes, then you might have water that’s brown, yellow, or orange-coloured appearing out of your tap. It can also have a metallic smell as well as taste.
When you have got a broken pipe or a leaking faucet or possibly a toilet tank which is continually dripping its contents into the bowl, then you are most likely wasting gallons of water every day.

Advice
Loziyo Mpiima, a plumber, advises that when looking for a genuine or good plumber, you should consider someone’s experience and then also identify with those who have done work with reputable companies.
Mpiima explains that engaging a professional from the onset helps avert future problems or challenges just like what Kamya is facing.