The hard truth is that nothing lasts forever, including residential piping. The good news is that the majority of pipes in your home are built to last for decades, which means there’s less to worry about. That doesn’t mean that you’re completely out of the woods. In fact, homeowners who don’t take care of pipes and subject them to a lot of abuse, often find that they’re faced with repairs a lot sooner rather than later. In this post, you’ll learn a little more about the types of residential pipes and what to do now to keep them working well for many years.
Plumbing Supply and Drain Lines
These are the two types of pipes that are part of a home’s plumbing system. Each one has a different function. The supply lines bear the burden of carrying water and gas to the various plumbing appliances and fixtures in the home supplied from the permanent lines installed behind walls and underground. These plumbing lines are made from the following types of materials:
- Galvanized steel
- Copper
- Brass
The type of supply lines installed depends on the age of the home and the fixture the supply line goes to. Because supply lines are under constant pressure there’s a greater chance for leaks to occur. In theory, supply lines last anywhere from 20–70 years with brass being the sturdiest and galvanized steel the weakest.
Drain lines remove water and waste from the home. These lines are constructed from either cast iron or PVC. Ideally, you want PVC drain lines because they have an indefinite lifespan and work well in for all homes. However, if you live in an older house built several decades ago, it’s more likely that your home has cast iron drain lines. If this is the case at your home, expect these pipes to last 75–100 years, which many consider to be a lifetime.
Why Do Pipes Break?
From the information above, you’d think that homeowners would never have to worry about pipes breaking down. Unfortunately, the life expectancy outlined above don’t take into account things like unusual wear and tear, natural occurrences like shifting soil and earthquakes, and poor installation. All of these circumstances play a role in how long the pipes in your home actually last without needing drain cleaning, pipe repair, or other services.
How to Prevent Pipe Repair and Replacement
The best way to keep your home’s residential piping in top condition is to have regular plumbing maintenance services. These services include things such as drain cleaning service like hydro-jetting to keep clogs from forming and putting pressure on pipe joints. It’s also important to have regular sewer line inspection services to make sure roots aren’t growing in or around the sewer pipe. Homeowners who are aware of small problems are able to take action immediately to prevent further damage and extend the life of their supply and drain lines.
If you need a plumber to help you with pipe repair or replacement, contact the expert plumbers at The Pink Plumber for complete residential plumbing services.
