What is the life span of home plumbing?
Have you ever wondered about your home plumbing? Lived in fear of something breaking and causing a big mess? Worried about what is likely to fail, leak, or need repair next? In a disposable era, is there anything that lasts anymore?
The biggest factor affecting how long home plumbing lasts is age.
Is your plumbing outdated?
Inventions from the early days of indoor plumbing worked for a while but revealed problems over time.
Some of the earliest plumbing pipes were made from a mix of fibers, wood, and coal tar. Known as Tar Pipes or Orangeburg pipes, they were primarily used for sewer lines. Over time, they became infiltrated with roots and rotted and/or collapsed, causing blockages in the pipe.
Galvanized pipes, on the other hand, were made from steel and dipped in zinc to prevent rust and corrosion, but these too developed problems, breaking down, rusting, leaking, and potentially contaminating the drinking water supply.
Lead plumbing is another bad one. Contamination can cause major health conditions such as kidney damage, headaches, high blood pressure, and more.
While some of the above fittings and pipes may still be found in older homes, more recently, Poly B (polybutylene) was developed. These plastic plumbing lines and fittings were popular because they were easy to install. However, they crack, leak, and can create major water damage. Poly B was removed from the plumbing code in 2005, but can still be found in some homes.
Cast iron pipes, while not actively used anymore, can also be found in some homes. The issue with this one is that they deteriorate over time from the inside out. The damage may not be known until it is too late. Subject to corrosion and rust, clogs and leaks, major damage can occur.
How does old age, wear and tear, impact plumbing?
In addition to age, the biggest factor affecting the longevity of home plumbing is wear and tear. This is especially apparent for circulating hot water lines that run from the tank to a fixture located a distance away. A circulating pump will help prevent heat loss in the lines and deliver near-instant hot water, but it also means it’s on all the time to keep it readily available whenever it is needed.
All drains – sinks, showers, tubs, and floor drains are affected by wear and tear. Sometimes they become so corroded that they separate from the fixture. If not used for a period of time, they will dry up and allow sewer gas into the room. The best way to prevent this is to pour some water down the drain once or twice a year.
All fixtures and appliances have a life span. Both may become dated and fall out of fashion (coloured fixtures), and both are subject to wear and tear.
Older appliances tended to last longer than current ones. Some older appliances from a generation ago are still going, helped along by repairs and care. However, they may also become noisier and less effective at doing their job.
Can the life span of home plumbing be extended?
Yes. Maintenance is the key whether it’s draining off the crud in hot water tanks every year or looking after your drains before they block your pipes. The easiest way to care for your drains is to put a mesh screen over to catch debris from food prep or rinsing dirty dishes. Empty the screen before the debris starts to mold.
A little prevention can go a long way. Keep cooking fats and grease out of the drain so it won’t solidify and block the pipe. Keep anything that has the potential to plug away from the drain – coffee grounds in the kitchen drain, dental floss in the toilet, etc. Clean shower drains of hair and bathroom sink drains of coagulated hair, toothpaste, and soap.
Hard water tends to take more care than soft water. Fix small problems such as leaks before they become big ones.
For more information, or if you have a problem with your home plumbing, to schedule service for maintenance or repair, call Plumbtech Plumbing at 705-722-7209.
