WATER AND DRAIN LINE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT

When Should I Get It Professionally Repaired?

It happens to everyone, sooner or later you’ll need a water or drain line repaired. Like everything else, pipes wear out over time or possibly become compromised by regular use or trauma. There are also still homes with water piping materials like polybutylene (PB) that need to be replaced completely before they cause a serious leak and major damage. It can sometimes take an expert eye to know when the condition of a pipe is beyond a simple repair and some preventative measures had ought to be taken.

What Piping Do I Have in My Home?

There are many different options available to home builders and service technicians when they are deciding what piping material to use in homes. Some piping materials tend to have better longevity and durability than others, and it can be important to know what your pipes are made of to know what to expect out of their lifespan.

• Copper: Most commonly a water line material, but can also be used for drain lines. Copper has been used as a piping material for plumbing since ancient Egypt. Pipes made of copper tend to have a long lifespan and are usually only discouraged in acidic environments where plastic piping is the preference.
• Polybutylene (PB): PB piping was introduced in the 1970s as a cheap and more installer-friendly alternative to copper piping. By the ‘90s it was discovered that chlorine in the water was causing damage to the PB piping leading to major leaks. The largest class-action lawsuit ever at the time was filed against PB plumbing pipes and PB is no longer an accepted piping material. If you have any PB pipes in your home, you should plan to replace them as soon as possible to avoid major water damage.
• PEX & Uponor: Uponor is the newest evolution of PEX piping on the market. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is an inert plastic material that has proven to last the test of time as a water pipe. PEX effectively fits the role they hoped PB would without the longevity concerns that come with PB.
• CPVC: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) piping was first introduced in the 1950s for use with corrosive water. CPVC is still a common material used today as a cheap piping material that will hold up without problem for the first few years of its life. CPVC tends to become problematic years after installation as it continually becomes more brittle and eventually cracks and causes varying degrees of leaks.
• PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) piping was developed in Germany in the 1930s and gained quick popularity in North America after the war. The piping is used for both waste / vent piping as well cold water piping. Modern PVC is a relatively cheap material that boasts exceptional durability and longevity, the only downside to it being the inability to carry hot water and a vulnerability to UV light.
• Cast Iron: Cast Iron (CI) piping began life in Europe for water systems. CI quickly became common place replacing clay and wooden piping in plumbing systems. By the 19th century, CI overwhelming became the most prevalent piping for both water and sewer systems in America and Europe. The conversion to CI was a significant factor in improving the health of the general public as the piping facilitated better sanitation. Today some jurisdictions still require cast iron sewer piping in their code, but plastic alternatives have largely replaced CI.
• Terracotta: Terracotta (clay) piping has been used since ancient times to carry water and sewage. Ancient Babylonians utilized fired clay Terracotta piping as early as 4000 BCE. Today, Terracotta piping is used nearly exclusively for sewage wastewater and is typically found in older systems as plastic piping of the 20th century wiped away any real advantage to using Terracotta.
• Orangeburg: Orangeburg was in common use between the 1940s and ‘70s, initially in response to heavy distribution of metal toward the war effort. This piping was used for sewer laterals and is known to become problematic as it ages. It is a fibrous paper pipe that usually eggs and eventually collapses completely through use. It is always a good idea to replace Orangeburg with a modern material as soon as possible to prevent any interruption in the flow of sewage from your home.

Technicians from Delaware Plumbing Professionals arrive to your home in fully stocked trucks with all the knowledge, skills, and tools required to take care of your pipe repair, not matter the problem or material.