The Right Time to Replace Your Plumbing Pipes

Like everything, plumbing pipes have a shelf life, too, and need to be replaced eventually. 

Whether you recently moved into an old property or have lived there for a while, your home may need its plumbing pipes replaced. Despite the fact that pipes have a long shelf life, there are several signs that it could be time for an upgrade. Especially since one of your home’s most essential components is its plumbing, it’s critical to understand when to replace them. Plumbing Concepts Inc. will help you understand when you actually need to replace or upgrade your plumbing pipes.

Depending on how old your house is, the kind of pipes that were originally installed, and how well they are currently performing, you could require to replace your pipes sooner rather than later.

Average Amount of Time Your Pipes Usually Last

Although the plumbing and pipes in your home won’t last forever, with regular maintenance and care, most pipe materials can survive for several decades before they show deterioration symptoms and require replacement. Determine the materials your pipes are made of by checking your entire house. Based on the plumbing material of your plumbing pipes, any issues that arise could be a simple repair need or a sign that the pipes are nearing the end of their usable lives.

The lifespan of pipes depends upon the material they are made of:

• Copper – 70-80 years
• Brass – 80-100 years
• Galvanized steel – 80-100 years
• Cast iron – 75-100 years
• PVC – mostly indefinitely

Ask the plumber to check your plumbing pipes the next time they come to your house if you’re unsure of what kind they are. After that, run the calculations to determine the age of your pipes. It will give you a rough sense of when you should consider replacing them.

Common Signs Your Plumbing Pipes Need Replacement

Low Water Pressure

It’s challenging to isolate the precise issue when there is low water pressure at the sink or during a shower. The water pressure may be decreased by a simple blockage in your plumbing or by leaks in your pipes. Additionally, damaged foundation, framing, and leaking pipes can result in mold growth as well as wood rot. Also, mold negatively impacts your air quality, which is challenging to tackle without additional tools. You may start by trying a common drain cleaner to see if that fixes the problem. You need a plumber or other qualified professional when issues persist.

Water Discoloration 

Discolored water is typically a cause for alarm if your water comes through urban systems. Pipes that get corroded due to the passing of water through them cause this brown or dark water. Mineral deposits from the water can choke pipes if you do not remove them, which increases pressure. The pipes eventually break as a result of continuous stress, resulting in enormous damage. Your pipes require prompt attention from a skilled specialist if you detect corrosion or rust.

Corrosion 

Do you feel as though your home’s plumbing lines are prone to clogging? You might want to consider the chance that your pipes could be corroding within.

Particularly galvanized steel pipes are prone to corrode. Once corrosion begins, it won’t be long until you need to repair your plumbing pipes in order to restore the free passage of water through them.

Cracks

A plumbing pipe with a crack in it will be fairly obvious. As the pipe travels through your plumbing system, water will come out of it as you watch. You won’t have to think about a plumbing pipe replacement for very long before you discover that you need one, even if it is concealed behind a wall or under a floor. When a pipe cracks, it won’t take long for the water to start seeping in and damaging the wall or floor.

Do not disregard any moist areas in your house. If you’re not careful, it could be a symptom of a significant plumbing problem and cause water damage and mold growth.

Leaks

No crack is necessary for a plumbing line to leak. It’s also possible for plumbing pipes to leak due to loose connections between them. When the leak first appears, there may not be much water dripping from your pipes. A minor leak, however, can eventually grow bigger if it is subjected to pressure.

Without replacing the pipes, a plumber might be able to fix a plumbing leak. But if the pipes are in a particularly bad state, experts might also advise pipe replacement.

Hazardous Material

Lead plumbing pipes can be extremely hazardous. Children who are exposed to lead on a regular basis may have learning disorders and sluggish growth. Adults who consume it may potentially have kidney troubles and reproductive problems.

But many areas of the country still use lead plumbing lines, which some people are unaware of. Lead service lines provide water to almost 10 million residences, some of which also contain lead plumbing pipes. Check to see if there is any lead in your plumbing system or if there is any contact with lead. If it happens, you want to think about finding a strategy to eliminate lead from the equation as soon as possible.

Conclusion

If you have noticed any of the above signs, do not ignore them and replace your plumbing pipes immediately. Not doing so can cause some serious damage to your water systems and house in general. If you don’t notice any of the above signs but know that the shelf life of your pipes is nearing, you should still get a replacement. Prevention is important before major issues start arising.