That beautiful home in the older section of town might have seemed like the dream house you were looking for, but time is not kind to homes. If your home is older, then you might consider re-piping to bring your home up to code and avoid a number of potential disasters.
Age Is More than a Number
If you have a turn-of-the-century home, then your pipes are well past their prime. Depending on the type of pipes you have and when they were last replaced will tell you a lot.
Determine when your home was built to figure out the age of your pipes. If you have original fixtures, they could have a lifespan of at least 20 years. Your home-inspection report will tell you what material your pipes are made, which is another indicator of longevity.
The life expectancy of supply lines, those coming from the main line into your home, is:
brass: 80–100 years
copper: 70–80 years
galvanized steel: 80–100 years
Then there’s also the age of your drainpipes, those that remove water from the home:
cast iron: 80–100 years
PVC: 24–40 years
The Wrong Type of Pipes Could Signal Danger
Once upon a time, we didn’t have the knowledge we have today, and building materials could include dangerous components or just weren’t made to last.
If you have lead pipes, then the lead can leach into the water supply. As you are well aware, lead is toxic, and can cause physical and mental delays in children younger than six.
Polybutylene piping was used in homes built between the 1970s and 1990s. Although it was a cheap building material, it turns out that it is of poor quality and prone to break. That could mean a big renovation job down the road.
Leaks Are Never Good
When water is coming out of places it shouldn’t be, that’s usually a sign that it’s time to re-pipe. Although you might think that one leak is a patch job and not worth a whole replacement, there may be a chance it is.
The reason is that all of the pipes in your home are of the same age, and if one has a weakness, then others will have the same issues. Remember, if you can see one leak, then there are plenty of other leaks you can’t see.
Water Should Always Be Clear
The water that comes out of your faucets should always be clear. If it’s brown or yellow, then that’s not a good thing. While you might jump to the conclusion that your pipes are rusty—and it may well be the case—it could also be a rusty water heater.
Before you make plans to re-pipe your home after seeing rusty water, have the water heater checked to rule out that option first.
Corrosion Is Not Good
Yes, you read it right. No matter how old or new your house is, if your pipes show even a small amount of corrosion, then it means the situation isn’t good. Check out your exposed pipes for signs of discoloration, stains, dimpling, pimples, or flaking. If you see any problems, call for a second opinion.
Ready to Re-pipe?
Re-piping your home is a very expensive endeavor, so it should not be undertaken lightly, and it should probably occur in conjunction with other renovations you have scheduled.
If you think your home is ready for new pipes, then call Forrest Anderson for an inspection and to get a professional opinion!
We’ll help you determine if it’s time and get your home on the road to recovery.
Contact Forrest Anderson Today!