Most homes today have one of five types of piping in them. Due to their average lifespans, some types of piping may be reaching the end of their usefulness. Find out the types of materials commonly used for pipes and if your home may need new pipes installed through repiping.
1. Galvanized Steel
Older homes typically have galvanized steel pipes for both supply and drain lines. While long-lasting, this type of piping will rust on its interior surface. When this happens in water supply lines, you may notice discolored water coming from your cold-water faucet if your supply pipes have rust in them. Rusty hot water could indicate bad pipes or an aging water heater.
2. Copper
While still in use today for water supply lines, copper piping is very expensive. In fact, the rising cost of copper may make this pipe up to three times more expensive than PEX. Additionally, it requires extra skill and a propane torch for installation.
3. ABS
The acronym ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. This type of piping has a plastic texture, similar to PVC. The two types of piping have many similar uses. You can distinguish ABS piping because it often is black compared to white for PVC. Plumbers typically use ABS in waste, vent, and drain pipes, but rarely in supply lines.
4. PVC
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) cannot be used for hot water supply lines, but it can be used for low-pressure cold water lines. However, since it cannot support high-pressure or heated water flow, most plumbers will reserve this type of piping for drain, waste, and vent lines.
5. PEX
PEX (polyethylene cross-linked) piping is one of the most popular choices today for water supply lines. It has a flexible nature, which makes installation easy, and it can last for decades. For new construction, 99% of builders choose PEX piping for their plumbing supply lines. Because this type of piping offers cost-effectiveness, durability, and longevity, we use it in our repiping services.
What to Do About Older Piping
If you have older galvanized steel piping or need to repair leaking pipes in your home, contact us at Best Service Plumber for repiping. Through our specialized methods, we can replace the pipe you currently have with new PEX piping with as little impact on your home’s appearance as possible.
For repiping or any plumbing needs you have, remember us at Best Service Plumber. Call us 24/7 at 951-520-8557 or message our office online. We’d love to hear from you.