Have you noticed that something has changed about the water in your house? Is the water flow weaker than before, or the water noticeably lower in quality? Or are you in an older home and are simply concerned with keeping the plumbing within it up-to-date?
Pipes aren’t a part of the house that most homeowners think about very often, but the integrity of your plumbing is integral to the overall health of your house. Replacing old pipes in a 1,500 square-foot, two-bedroom house can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000, so it’s not a replacement you’ll want to undertake until it’s absolutely necessary. On the flipside, if you wait too long, you run the risk of your pipes forcing the issue in a very expensive, damaging, and wet way.
So how do you know if you need re-piping services? At Apex Plumbing Solutions, we’ve got plenty of Danville plumbers available 24 hours a day to help assess the health of your pipes and the needs of your home. Call us now for a free quote, and read on to learn about what to look for in your pipes, and why you may very well need our plumbing services today.
How Old is Your House?
Nothing lasts forever, not even your plumbing,which is why the age of your home is usually the best indicator of when your pipes should be replaced. The general expected lifespan of any pipe in your plumbing depends on what type of pipe it is and what materials it’s made out of. You should be able to find this information in the home inspection report you received when you bought your house, or you can call one of our plumbers out for a free inspection and quote.
Supply pipes, the pipes in your plumbing that facilitate your water use, can be expected to last anywhere from 70 to 100 years. Brass and steel supply pipes typically last 80 to 100 years, while copper supply pipes usually last 70 to 80 years.
Drain lines, on the other hand, can last anywhere from 25 to 100 years. Cast-iron drain lines generally last 80 to 100 years, while pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) last 25 to 40 years.
If any of your pipes are made of lead or polybutylene, they should be removed immediately, no matter how old they are. Lead pipes haven’t been used since the early 1900s and have a 100-year general lifespan, but they could leach lead into your water. Polybutylene pipes were used in many houses constructed between 1970 and 1990, and are extremely prone to failure.
It’s critical to note that the estimated lifespans of pipes are very general, and that the maintenance and cleanliness of a pipe is ultimately a bigger factor in the health of your plumbing than their age. A well-maintained pipe can function well for more than 100 years, while a poorly maintained pipe could fail sooner than expected. Call our plumbers to get a trained set of eyes on your plumbing.
How Do the Pipes Look?
If your house is at least 60 years old, you should make it an annual habit to inspect any exposed pipes in your home. If you have any exposed pipes, you’ll often find them in your basement, utility room, or in crawlspaces. Are there any stains or discoloration on the piping? Any dimpling, pimples, flaking, or anything else that looks odd? Those are all signs of corrosion, and you’ll want to call one of our plumbers for an inspection as soon as you notice any corrosion. We have plenty of 24-hour plumbers available to help you, no matter the time of day or night.
How Well Does Your Water Flow?
Finally, if you’re in a newer home or can’t get to any of the pipes in your home, irregular water flow is probably the clearest way to identify that you could have a pipe problem. Check your water bill for any unexpected spikes. Check any areas that are near a lot of pipes (like under your sink) for leaks, puddles of water, or even discolored or warped wood. If you’re unsure, call one of our plumbers.
The integrity of your plumbing is critical to the long-term health of your home. Your pipes can be affected by natural age, hard water (water that is high in mineral content), your water use habits, and a host of other factors. If you know that your plumbing is getting older or notice a problem in your system, call one of our plumbers. If you’re unsure of what you see or have doubts about your plumbing, call one of our plumbers. Residential plumbing is one of our specialities, be it an emergency or standard maintenance, and we’ll be sure to spot any issues in your plumbing and repair or replace it before it becomes costly to you. Call our Danville plumbing company today. We can help you with something as simple as a water heater installation or as complicated as a full pipe install.
