Year after year, plumbers work hard to make sure that the solutions they provide for their customers are affordable and long-lasting. If you’ve ever been frustrated with the vast array of plumbing materials that you might see in a house, there are a lot of reasons that plumbers use what they do.
In reality, it’s always a good idea to stay updated on what plumbing materials are best used for certain tasks, and which ones are outdated and need to be replaced. Only a licensed, professional plumber should be the authority on this matter. And lucky for you, that’s who we are!
So, think of this as your yearly PSA for your plumbing system. If you’ve still got some of the old and outdated plumbing materials listed below, then we think it would be a good idea to get them replaced. That’s a plumbing service in Modesto, CA we can handle.
Outdated Plumbing Materials
Let’s first start by talking about some of the plumbing materials that just aren’t used anymore. If you notice any of these in your home then we’d highly recommend you get them replaced.
- Lead pipes. Lead pipes were used commonly up until the 1960s when it became clear that they were the main cause of lead poisoning in many communities. Lead pipes can actually chemically contaminate water inside of them by leeching off trace amounts of lead which can then be ingested by people. If your home has lead pipes, either as the sewer line or anything else, they’re likely too old and need to be replaced.
- Galvanized steel pipes. Galvanized pipes used to be a go-to plumbing material, but due to how expensive they are to produce and how poorly they last compared to copper pipes, they’re just not really a feasible plumbing material anymore. Your galvanized steel pipes are likely old enough to be replaced.
- PVC pipes for hot water. PVC pipes are great, but they’ve got one clear weakness. They should never be used to transport hot water. If you’ve got PVC pipes incorrectly hooked up to your hot water tank, or hot water line, then they’re on borrowed time. PVC can melt when it comes in contact with hot water, and unless it’s a special kind of resin, it’s not going to withstand the heat.
Plumbing Materials Built to Last
Here are some alternative plumbing materials you can count on.
- Copper is an amazing plumbing material. It’s sturdy enough to last for over a decade, it’s naturally resistant to corrosion, and it’s malleable enough to be able to bend when pressure requires flexibility. You can’t go wrong with a copper hot water line.
- PVC is one of the most affordable pipe materials available, and they’re just as effective for everything aside from hot water. They’re good for drain pipes and other various plumbing needs.
- PEX is another option aside from PVC which is better at hooking into metal pipes like copper. It doesn’t corrode and it can be flexible for various different uses.
It might be time to invest in some repiping that keeps your home in great shape.
DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. will be the team that can help you with your plumbing needs. Contact us today!