How To Tell When It’s Time To Have A Plumber Replace Your Homes Plumbing System | San Antonio, TX
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If you’re a homeowner or you’ve just bought an old house, you may be wondering how to tell if the plumbing system needs replacing. Some people replace their plumbing system in sections, while others need to replace all the piping in their homes at once. One of the most common questions that plumbers are asked is, ‘how do I tell whether it’s time to replace my home’s plumbing system.
If you live in San Antonio, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for a plumber, you may like to call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. The company is available for all types of plumbing jobs, such as leak detection, drain cleaning and can also install new pipes or replace your entire plumbing system. They can also provide an emergency plumber.
This article will look at the main reasons that plumbing systems need to be replaced. We’ll help you decide whether it’s time to replace your home’s plumbing system.
Problems caused by a faulty plumbing system
If any part of your home’s plumbing system becomes faulty, it can cause major problems. A burst pipe can cause flooding and, in the worst cases, may result in property damage, structural damage, and loss of furnishings and possessions.
There are many reasons that pipes fail, including a cracked or burst pipe or faulty pipe connections. These problems can occur due to the age of the system or lack of maintenance. They may also be as a result of major fluctuations in temperature or a fault in the plumbing’s components, or incorrect installation.
A lot of your home’s plumbing is hidden underneath flooring or behind walls. Therefore, it’s hard to know exactly what condition your plumbing system is in and even more challenging to work out its expected life span. It’s often not until things start to go wrong that a homeowner will consider replacing their home’s plumbing.
Don’t wait for an emergency to happen; call a professional to check the condition of your pipes and plumbing system. Plumbers have the tools to look inside pipes and detect problems before they occur.
Pipe Material
When deciding whether or not your plumbing system needs to be replaced, you should consider the type of material your pipes are made from. Different materials can be used for piping, such as copper, brass, cast iron, steel, or PVC pipes. These all have slightly different expected life spans, which range from twenty to 100 years.
When you purchase your home, you should look at the piping and estimate how long the plumbing system has been in place. Many older homes have metal pipes, some of which have been around for decades and may need replacing. You can ask a professional for help if you are unsure whether your pipes need to be replaced.
Each pipe material has a different lifespan:
- Copper can last more than 50 years
- Brass pipes have a lifespan of between 40 to 45 years
- Cast Iron generally lasts between 75 and 100 years
- Galvanized Steel pipes can be used for between twenty and 50 years
- Modern PVC piping is robust and can last indefinitely.
As you can see, plumbing systems are generally built to last, with pipes being designed to last up to 100 years and modern PVC pipes that will last longer than that. As well as the lifespan of the pipes, you should also consider the joints and fittings of the pipes, as well as any mechanical components. Your plumbing is connected to household fixtures such as washing machines and dishwashers, and these connections may not last as long as the pipes.
Old, faulty connections and fixtures can cause leaks or water backup in your plumbing system. It’s worth getting a plumber to check out the health of your fixtures and fittings.
Failing Plumbing: What to look out for
There are many signs that would indicate that your plumbing system is under stress and likely to fail. One of the most obvious signs of a plumbing problem is cracked pipes or corrosion. It’s a good idea to regularly inspect your pipework, look out for leaks from the pipes and moisture in the bathroom or kitchen.
Sometimes a leak won’t be that obvious, but there may be wet boards or walls in the area surrounding sinks, toilets, and baths. Also, look behind the dishwasher and washing machine and in the cupboard under sinks. Keep an eye out for water-stained walls and flooring or warped wooden flooring. If you notice any tubing or pipes that are rust-colored, this can indicate a leak or, most likely corroded pipes.
Another thing to look out for is low water pressure. If there’s recently been a drop in your water pressure, this is likely to indicate a problem such as a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. You may have a clogged drain or pipes if the low water pressure is accompanied by a gurgling or rattling noise. This is caused by trapped air in the pipes.
If you notice any of the above issues, you should call a plumber who can inspect your crawl spaces for dampness and mold and look for any plumbing issues. Slow-moving drains and pipe blockages can be professionally cleaned using a plumber’s “snake.”
It’s worth bearing in mind that if a problem is found in piping that runs behind a wall, your drywall will need to be removed. Instead of fixing the problem, it may be a better idea to completely replace the pipes to avoid issues occurring again in the future.
Many homeowners replace their plumbing when they renovate their kitchen or bathroom or create a new living space in the basement. This is a great option and one that many professionals would recommend. If you are budget conscious, you can reduce costs by only replacing exposed pipes if there aren’t any other signs of leaking.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio, TX
Need a plumber? If you live in the area don’t hesitate to contact bluefrog. The professional plumbers can help you detect a leak or clean your drains. They can also help you decide whether or not to replace your plumbing system.
Call a bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio today on 210-876-1629!
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