What You Need To Know About Water Line Repair | Midlothian, TX
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There are a lot of important components in your plumbing system, but the water lines that deliver water to your home are one of the most important parts. If you have a problem with a water line in your home, you’re going to have trouble getting water to a fixture or even the majority of your home. The good news is, a little education goes a long way when it comes to preventing expensive water line repairs. If you want to know more about the water lines in your Midlothian, TX, home, we’ve got you covered.
What Are Water Lines?
Every plumbing system is made up of two different types of pipes: water supply lines and drain lines. Water supply lines are designed to carry water from a well or municipal water supply and deliver it into your home with enough pressure to power all your fixtures. Drain lines, on the other hand, are responsible for removing any wastewater that you may produce from flushing toilets, running faucets, and other daily activities.
Water line repair is an interesting thing because most people don’t think about their water lines going bad. Because of how long water lines last, some homeowners go their entire lives without having to worry about water line repair or replacement. However, certain circumstances and water line materials can create a much higher risk of problems, so it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with.
What Are Water Lines Made Of?
It’s important to understand what water lines are made of and how that impacts their lifespan. Moreover, you need to know what the water lines in your home are made of so you can determine when you need to have them inspected or consider replacing them.
Older homes were generally built with water lines made of copper, which are great when it comes to avoiding frequent water line repairs. The one problem with copper water lines is that they’re susceptible to pinhole leaks, which form over time as a result of corrosion of the pipe. Still, copper pipes generally last somewhere between 70 and 80 years.
Newer homes are built using PEX water lines, which only last about 40 to 50 years. Despite not lasting quite as long as copper water lines, PEX lines are very flexible and easy to use as well as affordable for new construction projects. Plus, it’s a lot easier to replace a PEX line when it comes to water heater repair, so this is the most popular option if you’re dealing with a home that was built recently.
Common Water Line Problems
There are a handful of problems you can experience with a water line, from pinhole leaks to frozen lines and more. Understanding the problems you’re likely to face, the magnitude of those problems, and the proper way to handle them is an important part of minimizing water line repair costs.
Pinhole leaks are the most common problem to have. These leaks occur when copper water lines wear down to the point where there’s a small hole (or pinhole) that the water leaks through.
Some leaks also occur as a result of a fitting that’s degrading or was installed improperly. These leaks can be fixed by replacing the fitting with a new one that’s installed correctly.
Burst pipes are the worst problem you can deal with when it comes to water line repair. Not only can burst pipes cause an insane amount of water damage in your home, but they can also cost you a lot of money on your water bill if you don’t get them fixed right away. If you have a frozen pipe in your home that bursts, it’s important that you call an emergency plumber to get it fixed as soon as possible to save yourself time and money.
Replacing Water Lines
After a certain period of time, you have to replace your water lines if you want to keep enjoying fresh water in your home. One easy way to tell whether or not it’s time to replace your water lines is to consider the life expectancy of your current water lines. As we mentioned previously, copper water lines can last as long as 70 to 80 years while PEX lines tend to fail after about 40 or 50 years. If your water lines are approaching either of these milestones, you might want to consider replacing them to avoid problems in the future.
You also have to consider the shape that your water lines are in when considering water line repair vs. replacement. If you haven’t had a problem but your copper water lines are 70 years old, you can probably wait a while to replace them. If your PEX water lines are only 30 years old and have frequent problems, however, it might be best to replace them now.
Leak Detection Systems
One thing you might want to consider when you’re upgrading your water lines or paying for water line repair is installing a leak detection system. These systems measure water pressure throughout your water supply lines to determine when there’s a leak and where that leak is at. Not only is this a big help when it comes to finding leaks, but it can save you a significant amount in water line repair costs.
Get Some Help
There’s no denying the fact that you have to do a lot of work to keep your home in good shape. However, educating yourself about the components of your plumbing system and figuring out what you need to do to take care of them is a good start.
If you think the water lines in your Midlothian, TX, home may be going bad, have a plumber from Bahama Plumbing check out your plumbing system. We’ll figure out if there’s anything wrong and recommend the best course of action for your budget. To schedule an appointment today, call Bahama Plumbing at (817) 908-8781.