plumbing Repairs and Remodels

Plumbing maintenance

An unfortunate fact of life in our industry, all plumbing systems require maintenance and eventually replacement. The lifespan of your home plumbing varies on the age, material used, quality of work, your water quality, and more.

The age of your existing plumbing plays a huge factor. No matter the material you use, everything has a shelf-life.

Between the 1970s and 2000s, many new types of water supply piping have come and gone. There are several that still remain in homes today that have been removed from the market.

Galvanized and Copper Pipe

Until the 1950s, the majority of US homes used galvanized steel pipe. Over time the zinc coating would break down and rust would build up in pipes reducing water flow and allowing heavy elements into the water supply. Around the turn of the 20th century, copper became a popular choice as a replacement for galvanized steel. Copper has a lifespan of 50 to 70 years but can last even longer with a little luck. Copper is extremely durable and versatile. The biggest downside to copper is the price. Copper is becoming more expensive and cheaper options have begun to phase it out. Another drawback to copper is acidic water. If your home is on a well, you should test your water’s acidic levels. High acid levels can deteriorate copper’s lifespan.

Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX)

Cross-linked Polyethylene(PEX) has had a long and checkered history in the US. Early issues stemmed mostly from the fittings used rather than the actual piping itself. Between 1996 and 2010 PEX fittings were largely made of brass that when combined with PEX and immersed in hard water(any water with high levels of carbon, oxygen, and minerals) would cause an effect known as “dezincification”. The zinc in brass would leach from the fittings into the pipe itself and weaken the fittings. This caused millions of dollars in damage as buildings from highrises to homes suffered water damage. There have also been lawsuits over certain brands of PEX tubes that are now restricted from being used. The most notable example is Nibco Dura-PEX, manufactured up till 2012. If you have this pipe it should be removed as soon as possible. Other issues with PEX include permeability, UV exposure, and rodents. Buried PEX piping is vulnerable to certain petroleum-based products that can leach into PEX piping from the soil and contaminate your drinking water. UV exposure can deteriorate PEX piping in a relatively short amount of time. PEX should always be protected from sun exposure and be replaced if exposed for more than six months. Finally, most rat poisons work by dehydrating rodents and causing them to die from thirst. This drives rodents to seek out water from any source possible and has been known to result in rats chewing through PEX piping. Even with all of its issues, PEX is still a solid choice for home water supply when properly installed. A competent plumber can avoid the many pitfalls that can come from using PEX and design a water supply system that will last for decades.

Warning Signs

You should consider a home repipe or repair if you have any of the following:

Polybutylene pipe
PEX Nibco Dura-Pex tube
PEX Zurn QPEX or similar high zinc fittings
Rust colored water from your faucets
Corrosion on your pipes
Low water pressure
Slab leaks (pools of moisture on your home’s concrete slab)
Leaking pipes

Repipe VS Repair

The biggest difference between a repipe and a repair is cost. A repipe is a whole house replacement of your existing water supply system. This can range from $3,900 for a 1 bath home, to $15,000 for larger homes.

A repair targets a specific problem. If you have a slab leak we can remove the concrete in that area and repair the leaking pipe.

If you’ve had a leak, repaired it, and have another leak, chances are your water distribution is failing. You can choose to continue to repair it but in the long run it would be more affordable to simply repipe your home.

If your water pressure has dropped chances are your pipes are clogging or a restriction exists somewhere. This may be a repair, but narrowing down exactly where the restriction could be is time consuming and expensive. If you have galvanized pipe, chances are the entire system is rusted which minimizes the interior diameter and your water volume.

For more on slab leak repairs click here.

plumbing Remodels

Besides our repair services, we also offer kitchen and bathroom remodeling services. At S.E. Tradesmen, we offer our extensive knowledge and experience to deliver the best performance and aesthetically pleasing plumbing updates.

If you want expert advice on the best fixtures we can assist you with that too. You may assume a toilet is a toilet, but something as simple as the integral trap being fullsize can save you a lot of money in the future.

Often a home remodel may include additions, which the home plumbing may not be sized for. An inexperienced plumber may not know this or might disregard it. This can result in work that is not up to code, slow draining, poor water pressure, or even sewer backups. We can help determine what’s possible and what options are available so you still get your dream home without waking up to a nightmare.

When to call a plumber?

With all the options available to you today it can be overwhelming. Hiring a professional is the best way to cut through the noise.

At S.E. Tradesmen, we’re not just another company that sends you a low paid employee who just wants to collect a check. We’re master tradesmen who take pride in our work and will always give you the best work in town.

If you need plumbing repair or remodel work done, pick up the phone and call us at 850-738-2023.