Here’s What Leads to Early Pipe Replacement
admin • March 16, 2020

Hands in gloves hold corroded pipes, showing rust and mineral buildup inside.Of course, you depend on your plumbing system every day for things like laundry, bathing, cooking, and cleaning, so surely, you don’t want to take it for granted. Unfortunately, though, one issue that many homeowners find themselves facing is early pipe replacement.

Luckily for you, our team is well-versed in the issues that tend to lead to early pipe replacement, and below, we’ve outlined the two most common for you! All you have to do is keep reading to find out more, and of course, remember to call our team when you need a plumber in Yelm, WA.

What Leads to Early Pipe Replacement?

There are two main causes of early pipe replacement that you should know about:

1. Corrosion

The majority of plumbing pipes in today’s homes are made of copper, which is used because of its resistance to rust. Though it does not degrade as easily as iron, copper is still susceptible to different kinds of corrosion. For example, chlorine and formaldehyde particles in the air and soil do not react well with copper, which causes these pipes to weaken.

Another reason why pipes corrode is due to the substances that are put down our drains. If you find yourself reaching for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner every time you’ve got a clog, stop what you are doing and call in a professional. The truth is, store-bought chemical drain cleaners are extremely corrosive, and in addition to eating away at a clog, they’ll end up eating away at your pipes!

2. Limescale

Limescale is a type of mineral buildup caused by hard water flowing through the plumbing system over a long period of time. Eventually, this build-up will restrict the flow of water through the pipe, making the plumbing system less efficient and effective. If the limescale isn’t removed early, it will harden and become impossible to remove without damaging the entire pipe, in which case you’ll have to replace it.

You can combat limescale with a water softener, which adds sodium to the water to help breakdown these unwanted minerals. You may also want to consider installing a reverse osmosis system, which filters water through a special membrane to remove contaminants and separate salt from minerals.

You’ll Need Professional Services

The best way to prevent early pipe replacement is to schedule annual plumbing maintenance services with a professional plumber. During your maintenance visit, your plumber will thoroughly inspect the plumbing system to locate and correct minor issues before they become major. This way, you won’t be stuck with the cost of having to replace your pipes!

And sure, there might be plenty of amateurs willing to provide plumbing services for you, but remember, an attempt to save money could end up costing you much more in the long run. That’s why it is better to call in a professional and get the job done right the first time around.

Ready to schedule your plumbing maintenance services? Great! All you have to do is contact the team at Brooks Plumbing Company today  to get started! 

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