Best Insights for Updating Your Home’s Plumbing

The most important yet overlooked part of any building is the plumbing system. It delivers fresh water and carries away waste products, yet what most don’t know is that these two functions put a high level of stress on plumbing. This stress, if left unchecked, can result in catastrophic failure of these systems.

Below are some of the best insights that will help you when considering updating your home’s plumbing.

1. The Age of Your Plumbing

The age of your plumbing greatly affects how reliable it is. Supply pipes and drain lines have completely different forces that work to degrade them.

For example, copper pipes are relatively impervious to roots yet only last around 70 to 80 years due to the high amount of constant pressure they must maintain. Galvanized steel pipes last 80 to 100 years, yet they can produce rust that can taint the taste of tap water after as little as 40 years.

Drain lines can face similar hazards. Cast iron drain lines will last 80 to 100 years in the best of conditions, yet they can rupture in as little as 20 years due to shifts in the ground or tree roots. PVC pipe faces similar problems, as it tends to become brittle and to break when it reaches the age of 25 to 40 years.

2. Lead and Polybutylene Pipes

Two types of water supply pipes should always be replaced regardless of their age. Lead pipes can allow for dangerous lead contaminants to seep into your water, and polybutylene pipes are prone to high rates of breakage and clogs.

If your home has either of these pipes, then they should be replaced as soon as possible.

3. Frequency of Problems

Though services like Alberta Water Services in Calgary can continue to clean drains and to fix any problematic plumbing, it’s completely possible that your plumbing is nearing its end of life. You will continue to experience more frequent problems, clogs and other annoyances until your plumbing experiences complete failure.

If you’re at this point or approaching it, then it’s a good idea to ask professionals about replacing your plumbing entirely.

4. Foundation Shifts

It’s frequent to hear about a pipe that was in pristine condition that just suddenly gave way. The cause tends to be minor shifts in the foundation of a home, which in turn produce a sheering force that ultimately forces pipes to tear.

The problem is that these incidents may not present themselves so eagerly. They may be present in the form of clogs, troublesome drains and leaks that allow for dangerous mold to grow within the confines of your walls.

If you suspect your home’s foundation has shifted, then it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing. You may find out it needs to be repaired or, depending upon the age of the system, replaced entirely.

Don’t Neglect Your Home’s Plumbing

Plumbing problems that go neglected can result in health hazards, high water bills and preventable property damage. By having a routine inspection of your home’s plumbing and replacing it when it nears its end of life, you can save yourself many headaches and hassles.