Pipe Repair & Replacement
The pipes in your home are something you probably take for granted. And in most cases, that’s ok – the pipes in your home are designed to last for decades, so there’s hardly any cause to be too worried about them. But nothing’s perfect – eventually, corrosion, rust and decay will start to take over your pipes. If you live in an old home (think 75 – 100 years old), it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your plumbing system – you never know when you might need pipe replacement!
What is the average lifespan of a plumbing system?
The lifespan of your pipes depends largely on the type of material used to make the pipes. Supply pipes, which are under constant pressure and therefore are more likely to be the cause of leaks, typically last between 80-100 years if made of brass and galvanized steel and 70-80 years if made of copper. Drain lines, under less pressure, last about 80-100 years if made of cast iron and about 25-40 years if made from PVC.
Now, if your pipes are older than this, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be worried about them – if you’ve kept your pipes well maintained, they may last much longer (and on the other hand, pipes that have not been well maintained, or that have hard water running through them, may fail even sooner!).
Note: if you have lead or polybutylene pipes, you’ll want to have them replaced right away. Lead pipes can last about 80-100 years, but the dangers of lead are no secret. Polybutylene pipes, on the other hand, pose no health risks but are in constant, imminent danger of catastrophic failure!
Signs That You Need Pipe Replacement
If your pipes are more than 60 years old, you should make it a point to check them annually for any exposed pipes or signs of trouble, including discoloration, stains, dimpling, pimples or flaking. You should also be on the lookout for leaks – even small, easily reparable leaks can be signs of pipe failure down the road. Finally, look at the color of water that comes out when you fill your bathtub, especially after a vacation when the water in your pipes has been sitting for a while. If it comes out brown or yellow, this is a sign of rust, which points to decay in your pipes.
The Best Time to Replace Your Pipes
Pipe replacement is a huge investment, but if you play your cards right it can be manageable. There are a lot of ways you can mitigate the cost and hassle of pipe replacement:
Replace what’s exposed – the biggest hassle of pipe replacement comes when you have to tear out walls to get to the pipes behind them. But if you have a crawlspace , utility room or basement with exposed pipes, it can save you big time if you start by replacing just those pipes. Depending on the layout of your home, this may give plumbers easy access to most of your plumbing system.
Replace when you renovate – if you’re planning on doing any major remodels, you can use this as a great opportunity to have your pipes inspected and replaced, if necessary. This can help you save big time and can make the job much cleaner.
Use PEX piping – if you have inside supply lines that definitely require replacement, it might be easiest to replace them with polyethylene (PEX) tubing. PEX tubing can be threaded into your walls much like electrical wires, unlike solid copper pipes.
If you need pipe replacement (or you think you’ll need it soon!), don’t wait – call Magnolia Plumbing today!