Homeowners who are over the age of 60 usually start asking questions about their plumbing lines, and for good reason. Several signs may indicate that plumbing lines need to be replaced, such as sporadic leaks, pipe discoloration, staining, or corrosion. Annual inspections of exposed plumbing pipes in utility rooms, basements, or crawl spaces are strongly recommended for homes over 50 or 60 years old.
Regular inspections can predict future plumbing repair needs and prevent plumbing problems or problems in the future. It can also detect how soon a home’s plumbing will need to be replaced. Read on to learn more about plumbing pipe types and their average lifespan so you can better protect your investment when the time comes.
Types of plumbing pipes
There are a few common types of pipe material used for indoor residential water supply plumbing. These include galvanized steel, copper, brass, cast iron, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some homes that are very old, or homes that were built in the 1970s, may retain two other types of plumbing material that are very problematic and must be removed immediately: lead and polybutylene pipes. Lead is a serious health hazard and can be ingested through drinking water, and polybutylene pipes are highly vulnerable to breakage and highly unreliable.
Aside from these two hazmat pipes, galvanized steel is the most problematic water supply pipe in homes. They are made of steel and coated with zinc, and are commonly found in homes built before 1970. They corrode easily and accumulate mineral deposit buildups that reduce water flow, rust stains, and more. Any home with galvanized steel water supply lines needs plumbing line replacement services immediately!
Cast iron pipes are another common pipe material. It is quite vulnerable to rust regardless of water conditions, but its thickness can slow the rate at which rust affects water flow and corrosion. Cast iron pipes are mainly used for drain pipes.
Copper pipes are popular due to their natural corrosion resistant abilities. Although not completely immune to corrosion, copper does corrode at a much slower rate than other piping materials. Brass is a material made from a combination of copper and zinc, and it retains characteristics similar to copper. Red brass pipe is the most durable brass plumbing pipe, made primarily of copper. Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipe is made of plastic and has glued fittings. They are used for indoor water supply because they are vulnerable to ultraviolet light.
Average Life of Plumbing Pipes:
- Galvanized Steel: 20-40 Years
- Cast iron: 40-80 years
- Brass: 40-80 Years
- Copper: 50-80 Years
- RRP: 50-80 Years