You live in a brand new house. Or it’s 10 years old. Or it’s 20 years old. Or it’s 50 years old. You’ve made some cosmetic upgrades over the years, but have been putting off any major plumbing work. Is now the right time? Let’s take a look.
AVOIDING DISASTER
Some disasters can be worse than others. Plumbing is potentially one of those. If your carpet wears out, you replace it, no big deal. But if a pipe bursts, you’ve got some major problems, and some major costs. That’s why it’s important to keep your pipes and plumbing updated.
PLUMBING DURING RENOVATION
We often don’t think about internal plumbing because we don’t see it. The pipes are hidden underground, in the crawl space, or behind the wall. Sometimes the best time to replace existing plumbing is during renovations. If you’re getting a new bathtub, kitchen cabinets, or bathroom vanity, that can be a great time to get plumbing work done as well. The pipes will likely be more exposed, and easier to access and replace.
AGE OF PIPES
Every family has a unique situation: relatives, kids, budget, housing, even the weather patterns in the area where you live. Depending on your situation, you might be inclined to put off expensive repairs as long as possible. So when do they become really necessary?
Here’s a guide to how long your pipes should last based on the material they’re made from:
Copper (50+ years)
Brass (40-45 years)
Cast Iron (75-100 years)
Galvanized Steel (20-50 years)
PVC (50-70 years but, if properly maintained, they can potentially last indefinitely!)
If you’re not sure what kind of pipes you’ve got, just check the inspection report from when you bought your home.
THE SOLUTION
In our next blog post, we’ll go into more details about some of the signs you can look out for to determine when you really need to get those pipes replaced. If you think it’s time, City Plumbing is here for you. Give us a call, and we’ll come running. Call us today at 432-366-2401.
