Did you know the majority of homes in America were built between 1955 and 1990? That means you very likely live in a home that’s older than you! Just like people, homes will begin to suffer problems related to their age, and one of the most vulnerable parts of any home is the plumbing. Even if everything appears fine, without constant maintenance and upkeep your plumbing will experience all kinds of issues that can become very costly for you.
Galvanized Pipe: Millions of homes were produced with galvanized pipe in the 50’s,
60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s. Galvanized pipes are made
of steel and covered with a layer of zinc to protect the material. That
zinc erodes over time from friction with the water and waste running through
the pipes, which causes the pipes to deteriorate from the inside causing
a variety of issues such as pitting which increases the chances of a clog
or even full on leaks. Experts recommend a full replacement of your piping
system when galvanized piping begins to fall apart, often referred to
as a “Re-Pipe”, but many homeowners try to avoid that costly
expense by replacing the worst sections as they fail.
A good way to quickly test your pipes for this problem is to simply turn
on the hot water and check the water pressure compared to the cold water.
Hot water pipes are almost always the first to experience issues, so if
the water pressure is low there’s a good chance your house has corroded
galvanized piping that needs to be replaced.
If copper piping was attached to the galvanized pipes any previous repairs
or additions there’s a chance it could be making the problem worse.
Dielectric coupling is required to prevent corrosion caused by dissimilar
metals coming in contact with each other. These connection points are
almost always hidden inside walls so it’s very difficult to tell
if they were done correctly, but it’s important to hire a plumber
who knows the importance of doing this properly.
If you live in an older house and would like to feel secure about your plumbing, contact Do It Right Plumbers today. Our teams are available to provide the best plumbing services in the industry. Call us at (949)829-4880 today!