Do you know whether you have old plumbing pipes? Old pipes can pose a significant threat to the health and safety of your home.
As trusted and licensed plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, Iron Mountain Plumbing can replace all types of pipes and keep your home free of toxins and water damage. We’ll help you understand when you should replace your piping.
Signs You Need Hurricane, UT, Pipe Replacement
If you know what type of pipes you have, you’ll have a good idea of when you should replace them. The most common types of pipes have the following life expectancies:
- Galvanized steel pipes should last about 50 years.
- PVC or plastic pipes can last up to a century.
- You can expect copper pipes to last up to 70 years.
- While rarely used in modern homes, clay pipes can last up to 60 years.
If you don’t know what type of pipes you have or how old they are, you should look for the following signs that they need replacement.
Visible Corrosion
Many homes in Hurricane, UT, have exposed pipes in the utility room, under the sinks, or in the basement. While you can’t see all your pipes, they should corrode at roughly the same rate.
What does corrosion look like? It usually manifests in the following ways:
- Discoloration: Because a lot of corrosion occurs from rusting or other chemical degradation of the pipes, discoloration is often a key indicator. You’ll likely notice reddish, yellow, or brown discoloration on the pipe.
- Pitting: This refers to small, sometimes needle-sized holes or dents in your pipes, often in the middle stage of corrosion.
- Scaling: Scaling is the most difficult sign to identify as it usually occurs inside the pipe. It consists of a buildup of sediment that can restrict the pipe’s flow, put pressure on its sides, and cause leaks.
- Leaks: The final stage of corrosion results in leaky pipes. You’ll either notice the leak or see water damage in the immediate area.
Insufficient Water Pressure
As your pipes corrode, the microscopic holes or scale buildup can restrict water flow and lower the water pressure in your home. While you may occasionally experience low water pressure if many people use your plumbing simultaneously, consistently low water pressure is more than an annoyance. It usually indicates you have a plumbing problem.
Several things can cause chronic low water pressure, including problems with your drains or water heater. Only a professional plumber can diagnose the problem and devise the best solution.
Slow Drains
While the most common cause of slow drains in Hurricane is a clog in your pipes, old pipes can also create drainage problems. Did you know commercial drain cleaners are a leading cause of pipe corrosion? By attempting to solve the problem, you may make it worse.
The drain cleaners you purchase at the hardware stores can effectively clog your drain, but they do so with powerful chemicals that can quickly destroy your pipes. You likely need pipe replacement if you find yourself constantly unclogging your drains. Always hire a plumber when you need effective drain cleaning.
Frequent Repairs
One sure sign your old plumbing pipes need replacement is frequent repairs. Healthy pipes should function well with only a yearly maintenance check, and you shouldn’t require repairs more than once every few years.
If you find yourself paying for repairs more than a couple of times a year, you likely need replacement. You’ll save money in the long run compared to the overall cost of regular repairs.
Poor Water Quality
If your water looks or tastes funny, it’s a clear sign your pipes are leeching materials into your water supply. Some rural locations may always have this problem, so in this case, you can’t use it as a good indicator you have pipe corrosion.
If you’ve never had a problem, you’ll quickly taste a change in your water, especially if it contains iron or sulfur. You may notice a change in taste before color, but if you don’t, keep an eye out for a brown, yellow, or red tint to your water.
Foul-Smelling Water
Sometimes, the color or taste of your water won’t change, but you’ll notice some foul smells. The most common smells and their potential causes include:
- Sewage: Sewage is perhaps the worst smell you can have in your water, and it means you either have a serious clog or a leak. When you smell sewage, replacing the pipe is the safest and smartest long-term investment option.
- Sulfur: If you smell sulfur in your water, you likely have sediment buildup in your water heater or pipes. You may not need a complete replacement, but your plumber might suggest it as the best solution.
- Rust: While some water sources naturally have high iron concentrations, you have significant corrosion when your water develops this smell. Replace your pipes before they spring a serious leak.
- Must: If your water smells like it’s been sitting in the basement of an abandoned home, you likely have a mold problem. This can mean you have a hole in your pipes where the surrounding earth leaches into your plumbing.
Skyrocketing Water Bills
While it might take you a few months to notice, rising water bills are a common indicator that you have some serious plumbing plumbers. When your pipes develop leaks, you’ll use water even when you’re not running your faucet, shower, or other fixtures.
Because water remains relatively affordable in most places, you may only notice a difference of a quarter or a dollar every month. However, don’t underestimate the significance of the problem.
You can help prevent this problem by regularly monitoring your water meter. A couple of times a month, stop using water for a few hours. You likely have a leak if you notice a change in your water meter’s reading during that time.
Dangerous Piping Material
Old pipes can create a variety of plumbing dangers, but the worst is leaching toxic chemicals into your home. If you don’t know what type of pipes you have, you should have your plumber tell you, especially if you own an old home.
If you have old plumbing pipes made of any of the following materials, you should replace them to avoid serious health complications:
- Galvanized steel: Galvanized piping uses a zinc coating to prevent rust, but when the zinc starts deteriorating, your water can absorb the metal. Zinc remains an essential nutrient for your body, and while rare, consuming too much can lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Lead: You’re well aware of the serious and long-term problems that arise from lead poisoning. While contractors haven’t used lead for pipes since 1986, some older homes may still have these pipes.
- Polybutylene: Popular between 1975 and 1996, this material breaks down after prolonged contact with chlorine, a chemical added by most water treatment plants. Not only can these pipes develop major leaks, but they also cause microplastics to infuse your water.
Pending Home Sale
If you’re considering selling your home soon, you may get a good return on investment if you replace your old pipes. The quality of the investment depends on the age of your pipes, their materials, and several other factors. Ask your plumber if they think replacing your pipes would help you get a better offer for your home.
Hurricane, UT, Pipe Replacement Process
What happens when you schedule pipe replacement in Hurricane, UT? Whether you need water to wash the area’s famous peaches and pecans or just so you can enjoy a good shower, Iron Mountain Plumbing uses the modern technique of pipe relining whenever possible.
Pipe Relining
Compared to traditional pipe replacement methods, relining provides a minimally invasive way to obtain new plumbing. It uses the following process:
- Inspect your pipes using a camera to determine the job’s scope and any particular challenges.
- Cleaning the pipes to remove any debris or obstructions.
- The plumber inserts a resin-cured pipe lining into your system.
- The lining adheres to the old pipe, providing a like-new corridor for your water.
Traditional Repiping
The traditional method of replacing your pipes includes digging up your walls and floors and replacing each section of your plumbing system. The process requires a significant investment in time and money. Sometimes, you are required to vacate your house until they complete the process.
You may require this type of replacement if some of your pipes have completely collapsed. Plumbers also use it if they can’t reach the replacement location with a pipe liner.
Iron Mountain Plumbing Can Effectively Replace Your Pipes in Hurricane, UT
When you need to replace your old plumbing pipes in Hurricane, UT, reach out to Iron Mountain Plumbing. We have all the knowledge and experience to provide expert service and answer all your questions. Whether you’re wondering why your sink keeps clogging or what type of pipes you have, we take time to ensure you have all the information you need.
To schedule an appointment in Hurricane or the surrounding areas, call 435•383•3813.
