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Low-quality pipes can cause leaks that could significantly damage your property. What's more, they may also be a health hazard if they expose you to lead. To learn how to find out if you have quality pipes running through your house, read on.
Material for Quality Pipes
You can learn the quality of your plumbing system from the materials used for your pipes. The best quality pipes for your plumbing system are copper and PEX. PVC pipes are less favored, and galvanized pipes are considered a low-quality type.
Copper pipes are heat-tolerant, durable, and not vulnerable to leaks. Copper has a life expectancy of 70 to 80 years. PEX piping is also popular because it's flexible, isn't corroded by moisture or minerals, and lasts 50 years.
PVC is low cost and low maintenance, but it has to be installed carefully and bedded to prevent cracking. It tends to warp at temperatures of 140 degrees or higher. Galvanized pipes are prone to rusting from the inside out and can leach lead into your water supply.
You can know the type of pipes in your home by taking a quick look at them. PEX pipes are usually red or blue and seem to be made up of hard plastic because they're nonmetallic. Copper pipes are metallic and have a shiny color that looks like that of a penny. They turn greenish over time.
PVC pipes resemble hard, white plastic and have markings that identify their diameter down their body. Galvanized pipes appear metallic and have a silver or gray color.
Condition of Pipes
Check your exposed pipes for bumps, dimpling, flaking, or discoloration. Water discoloration could also indicate corrosion inside your pipes. If you also spot significant leakage or signs of accumulation of moisture, then the quality of your pipes may have deteriorated, warranting replacement.
To be completely sure that your home has quality pipes, contact a plumber to inspect your plumbing system. Contact the certified plumbers at Air Assurance for the best plumbing services in the Broken Arrow area.