What You Need to Know About Household Pipes

It’s important to have high quality, durable pipes to bring water into your home. Whether the pipes in your home are made of PVC or cast iron, they all have a typical average lifespan. This means that at some point, you’ll need to have them replaced. However, you can extend the life of your plumbing pipes through cleaning having them repaired as needed.

Understanding the Plumbing System in Your Home

A home plumbing system typically consists of two main sub-systems: the supply system and the drainage system. The supply system consists of the components that carry fresh water into your home, and the drainage system comprises the plumbing through which waste material and used water leave your home. Both systems rely on a network of pipes to function properly.

The plumbing pipes in your dwelling may be made from a variety of materials. One of the most common pipe materials used is a type of thermoplastic known as PVC (which stands for polyvinyl chloride). Copper and steel are other materials used to create pipes for plumbing systems.

Household Pipes and Their Lifespan

Because they are under pressure continuously, supply pipes must generally be replaced before drain pipes need to be replaced. Supply pipes made from galvanized steel may endure for as long as 20 to 50 years, while those made from copper may last about 40 to 70 years (or even longer than that). Pipes made of brass might last for 50 or more years.

Drain pipes are typically made of cast iron or PVC. The cast iron variety of pipe could have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. Pipes made from PVC might last indefinitely, which is probably one of the primary reasons that PVC is such a common material for making pipes.

The Importance of Maintenance and Repairs

Getting your household plumbing pipes serviced when necessary is vital to their longevity. If one of your pipes is leaking or is clogged, you should consult a professional for assistance. If the pipes have become corroded with rust, a professional may be able to fix the problem and help you to preserve your plumbing system. It’s also important to know what shouldn’t go down the drain to avoid costly repairs.

Keeping your household plumbing system in great shape involves maintenance from a professional. In many cases, only basic repairs are required in order to keep a plumbing system in proper working order. Sometimes, the pipes may need to be replaced and catching problems before they become more serious can you save you a lot of heartache and money.