Older homes are wonderful treasures because they have so much history and such unique details. It’s hard to find homes with the same kind of quality and beauty as many older homes have. However, even though older homes often have better architecture and detailing, they often do suffer from older building “technology,” such as wiring and plumbing that no longer provides superior functionality.
One thing you are very likely to find in older homes that is going to be problematic is galvanized plumbing. Galvanized pipes are steel pipes that have been coated with zinc on the inside to protect them from corrosion. The durable material and the additional coating may seem like a win-win for your plumbing, creating a solid system that will serve you for years. While that may have been true for many years, everything eventually succumbs to time, and galvanized pipes present many problems. Ultimately, you are going to need to consider repiping in California.
Potential Problems with Galvanized Pipes
The zinc coating is applied to galvanized pipes to keep them from eroding. But that coating itself can erode over time, and when it does, the pipes can start to erode.
One outcome of the pipes eroding is that lead can build up in the water, which can be dangerous for your family’s health. Lead can cause developmental delays in babies and children, and it can create long-term health problems for adults.
Eroding pipes can also result in irregular water pressure, which can be not only irritating but can also pose further dangers to your plumbing. Inconsistent water pressure can put too much pressure on certain parts of your system, which can result in a leak or a burst pipe. Even a small leak can cause major damage in your home, but a burst pipe can be catastrophic.
Finally, erosion can lead to sediments and other materials getting into your water. Your water can become discolored and take on a funny smell or taste. You don’t want to have brown water when you turn on the tap, and you certainly don’t want to think about what might be lurking in your water when you raise a funny-smelling glass of it to your mouth.
Identifying Galvanized Pipes
It can be difficult to identify galvanized pipes sometimes. If you have been living in the house for a long time, you have the benefit of hindsight to help you. When the pipes were newer, they should have had a color similar to nickel, or a light silver. As they aged, they may have become lighter and duller, or they may have become darker. Clear as mud, huh?
The point is that the pipes will change appearance because the coating is eroding and corrosion is happening. The better way to recognize if you have galvanized pipes is to ask a plumber to inspect them. You should have a routine plumbing inspection as part of your home’s maintenance. The inspection will help you identify problems before they cause too much damage.
You can also stay alert to the signs of trouble associated with galvanized pipes, such as discolored water and inconsistent water pressure. If you notice these or other problems and you know you live in an older house or one that hasn’t been repiped in a long time, call a plumber to get a thorough inspection.
Galvanized pipes can cause a real problem for your home and your family. If left unchecked, they can damage your home, threaten the health of your family, and cost you a lot of money. It’s important that you work closing with a repiping plumber to monitor the health of your pipes and to repair them as needed. However, if you have an older system that may develop galvanized pipes, it may be better to work with a repiping plumber to repipe your home before the pipes have a chance to start breaking down and causing you trouble.
Integrity Repipe of California can help. We are repiping specialists that can ensure that your plumbing system is healthy so that it operates at peak efficiency and continues serving you for a long time to come. We can perform repipe repair or whole-house repiping. Call us today and find out why we are the repiping company that California residents trust. We handle both residential and commercial plumbing needs.
Published by – Integrity Repipe Inc
Integrity Repipe Inc – Mission Viejo, CA
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
Website: integrityrepipe.com
Integrity Repipe Inc – San Clemente, CA
927 Calle Negocio Suite O
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: 949-397-2404
Website: integrityrepipe.com/san-clemente
Integrity Repipe Inc – Long Beach, CA
2201 N Lakewood Blvd, Ste D #297
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: 562-362-5040
Website: integrityrepipe.com/long-beach
Integrity Repipe Inc – Chula Vista, CA
591 Telegraph Canyon Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-313-5744
Website: integrityrepipe.com/chula-vista
Integrity Repipe Inc – Ladera Ranch, CA
27762 Antonio Parkway L1
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-397-2795
Website: integrityrepipe.com/ladera-ranch
Integrity Repipe Inc – Lakeside, CA
8337 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: 619-494-3507
Website: integrityrepipe.com/lakeside
Integrity Repipe Inc – Aliso Viejo, CA
27068 La Paz Rd #771
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: 949-449-1142
Website: integrityrepiping.com/aliso-viejo-repipe-copper-pex-ca
Integrity Repipe Inc – Oceanside, CA
1759 Oceanside Blvd C,
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 442-300-3057
Website: integrityrepiping.com/oceanside-repipe-copper-pex
Integrity Repipe Inc – Porter Ranch, CA
19360 Rinaldi
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
Phone: 818-630-9265
Website: integrityrepiping.com/porter-ranch/
Integrity Repipe Inc – Oceanside, CA
1759 Oceanside Blvd C,
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 442-300-3057
Website: integrityrepiping.com/oceanside-repipe-copper-pex
Integrity Repipe Inc – Porter Ranch, CA
19360 Rinaldi
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
Phone: 818-630-9265
Website: integrityrepiping.com/porter-ranch/