The Lifespan of Your Plumbing
Do you know how long your water pipes should last? It depends on the materials used, so you’ll want to take a look at them to see.
If your water line has a galvanized steel or brass construction, it could last for between 80 and 100 under ideal circumstances. Galvanized steel does tend to rust and corrode, however, causing it to break down at a faster pace.
Remember, builders haven’t used steel and brass when installing pipes in new homes for about 50 years. Keep that in mind when considering whether or not to do a repiping because seeing these materials likely means that your home is older than 50.
Today’s homes often have copper pipes, which last for 70 or 80 years. When Hunt’s Services handles your repiping, we’ll use copper, so the job is likely to last as long as your house does.
Sewer drain lines are made from cast iron or PVC. The cast-iron pipes last for as 75-100 years, while PVC will generally last longer for about 100 years.
If you live in an older home and it appears as though the original pipes are still in use, it’s only a matter of time before they start breaking down. One of the main reasons to replace your plumbing is that the hot and cold water piping is at the end of its utility lifespan and you will need to replace it sooner or later. The other reason is that you are remodeling your house and the current plumbing does not suit your needs and it is easier to replace it than it is to work around what you have.
When is it Time for a Home Repiping?
The age of your water line is the main factor in replacing it, but what are some of the other warning signs?
Your home’s water pressure is something to keep an eye on because low pressure could mean that you’ll have a more significant problem soon.
You know your home better than anyone, and when you turn on a tap, you know how much water pressure to expect. If the water pressure isn’t where it should be, the reason is often that another tap is running at the same time.
An underlying reason for this weak pressure, however, could be an accumulation of materials like mineral deposits and rust in your water line. As your pipes get old, pieces can rust and flake off. Eventually, this buildup will stop the water from flowing freely, and the pipe will need replacement.
It would help if you also kept an eye on your water quality because brown or red liquid coming from your taps could also mean that your pipes are rusting from the inside and due for a replacement. Once the rust gets to this point, you’ll want to have your Puyallup repiping done immediately because ingesting these contaminants could make you sick.
Finally, if you’re dealing with constantly leaky pipes, a repipe is probably a good idea. An occasional leak isn’t a big deal, as it happens from time to time, and all you have to do is replace the cracked or broken section or do a pipe repair. When it seems like you’re replacing parts of pipe every few months or even annually, your water system needs a complete overhaul or replumbing.
