18 Oct Plumbing: Repair or Replace
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes the pipes inside of your home. Over the years, pipes corrode, rust and decay, leading to an array of plumbing issues and possible disasters. If you’re proactive about your plumbing problems, you may only need to repair, instead of replacing your whole system. Determine whether a plumbing disaster is imminent or just a concern for the distant future with these plumbing repair or replace tips:
Be Familiar With Your Pipes: The type of plumbing you have in your home will determine how long you can expect it to last. Knowing what types of pipes you have is the first step in determining if you should repair or replace. Cast iron pipes typically last between 80-100 years, depending on factors such as damage, usage, and corrosion. If you’re unsure of how old your pipes are, review your home inspection report, or call your trusted plumbing professional to inspect your system.
Keep An Eye Out For Trouble: One of the best ways to prevent a plumbing catastrophe is to pay attention to early warning signs. Make sure to perform proper maintenance checks on your plumbing and keep a watchful eye for any leaks, drips or signs of trouble. Check out your exposed piping and look for any discoloration, stains, dimpling, pimples or flaking- all of these are corrosion indicators. Corroded pipes can lead to unsafe drinking water and they need to be replaced immediately. Watch for leaks too–even small ones that are easily repaired may be indicators that the time for whole-house replacement is approaching. Lastly, take notice of the color of your bathtub water, especially after a vacation. If the water looks brown or yellow, that’s a sign of rust and decay inside the pipes, where a replacement might be necessary soon.
Fix Them Up: If you and your plumber have decided that replacement is right for you, consider these options:
- Replace what’s exposed: For a home with plaster walls or wood paneling, consider at least replacing pipes that aren’t buried in the walls. Replacing exposed pipes in a basement, crawlspace, or utility room is fairly straightforward because the plumber can have easy access to the pipes.
- Replace when you renovate: Whenever you remodel a portion of your house, take the opportunity to inspect—and if need be, replace—any plumbing lines that you expose when you open up the walls and floors.
Think your plumbing system needs an overhaul? Give Wahl Family Heating, Cooling & Plumbing a call to handle all of your plumbing needs, from leaky fixtures to frozen pipes. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (412) 265-2662or visit our website to learn more about the services we offer.