Tag: pipes!

Protect the Home From Frozen Pipes This Winter

Professional Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes 

Every home needs safe and reliable plumbing. Unfortunately, during the winter, cold weather can take a toll on plumbing that isn’t properly protected from chilly temperatures and lead to frozen pipes, which can lead to even more problems like burst pipes. Here are the dangers of frozen pipes and tips to help homeowners prevent them. 

Complications Arising From Frozen Pipes 

burst pipe Living in a home with frozen pipes is bad enough because it can deprive necessary plumbing fixtures of water service. But, the more severe dangers of a frozen pipe lie in the consequences of letting pipes freeze. When lines are exposed to cold temperatures, the water within them freezes and expands, putting pressure on the pipe walls and can cause them to break or burst. 

A leaking or burst pipe can lead to additional problems for a home, such as flooding, water damage, high water costs, and mold growth. So, apart from the stress of losing water service, the homeowner must also contend with the stress of waiting to see if anything worse will happen when pipes freeze. 

Can Pipe Insulation Help?

pipe insulationHomeowners should take steps to prevent frozen pipes, and one of the most effective ways is to install pipe insulation on piping vulnerable to freezing, such as those in crawl spaces, attics, and exposed exterior piping, to ensure it is safe from the cold. Not only does the insulation help prevent pipes from freezing, but it also has many other benefits. 

More benefits of insulating pipes other than preventing freezing include: 

  • Improved energy efficiency
  • Prevents condensation and excess moisture that can lead to mold growth and corrosion
  • Longer pipe lifespan by protecting against corrosion
  • Reduced noise levels from the pipes

Bonus Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips 

Here are a few more ways to prevent frozen pipes: 

  • Keep the Pipes Warm: Always keep the thermostat in the home set to at least 55°F, even if away from home or out of town, to help keep pipes warm enough to prevent freezing. 
  • Let the Faucet Drip: Another way to prevent pipes from freezing during freezing temperatures is to allow water to drip or trickle out of taps to keep water flowing so they don’t freeze. 
  • Winterize the Outdoor Plumbing: One of the major causes of burst pipes outdoors is due to homeowners forgetting to drain and remove hoses and insulating hose bibs. Since hoses and hose bibs won’t be used for the season, use premade caps to protect bibs and detach and drain hoses to remove the water. 

About Super Plumbers

Super Plumbers is a family-owned and operated company serving Tyler and the surrounding areas. They offer flat-rate pricing, personalized service, and financing. Call them today for plumbing services in Tyler, TX. 

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Spread the Cheer of the New Year With New Pipes!

What To Know About Repiping a Home

Every house experiences plumbing troubles - it’s just a fact of homeownership. Plumbing pipes frequently clog, leak, and breakdown during the lifetime of a home. Most issues can be resolved with a partial replacement or repair of the broken pipe the first time, but eventually, the repairs and partial replacements of plumbing just won’t cut it anymore. When repairs no longer are an option, the total replacement of a home’s piping is inevitable. 

Repiping a home is an expensive, time-consuming project. Repiping a home can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 depending on the size of the house, plus any extraneous permits, drywall, or decorating costs. Homeowners are right to be wary about taking on this project in their home. It’s essential to work with a reliable plumbing professional who can get the project taken care of as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of work.

How To Know When Whole-Home Repiping Is Needed?

confused woman

The home’s pipes will give several warning signs that repiping has become necessary. Homeowners should keep an eye out for these signs and call a plumbing professional when they show up:

  • Aged Pipes: Most new homes have pipes made of materials that will last several decades, but in older homes, that isn’t the case. If the home’s pipes have been in use for over fifty years, the need for a replacement is looming.
  • Steel or Lead Pipes: Homes built before the 1980s are likely to be built with unsafe or easily compromised materials. Lead pipes frequently pop up in homes built before the 1940s and can contaminate the home’s water with hazardous levels of lead. Homes built before the 1970s may have galvanized steel pipes, which are susceptible to rusting and corrosion. These pipe materials should be replaced when discovered to ensure the safety and longevity of the plumbing. 
  • Leaks or Corrosion: If there are signs of leaking around pipes or evidence of rusting, a plumbing professional should be called in. While some leaks may be fixed, if they frequently occur over time, the integrity of the pipes is in question, and replacement is likely needed. 
  • Frequent Repairs: Whenever repairs from a plumbing professional have become a regular thing, it’s time to consider replacing the part causing the problem. This is true for pipes, too. If pipes are frequently leaking, if rust is continually growing, or if the age of the pipes has led to countless repair calls, then it’s time to replace the pipes of the home. 
  • Discolored or Poor Tasting Water: If the water in the house has started looking rusty red or brown, or if the water tastes like copper pennies or dirt, something is amiss in the pipes. Frequently discolored or poor tasting water is a sign of extreme rusting and corrosion and usually results in needing a whole-home repipe to fix the problem.

Types of Piping Materials

The type of piping materials plays a role in the longevity of the pipes, as well as the cost of repiping the home. 

piping

Plumbing materials have evolved over the years, with new options replacing the traditional materials of the past. Lead and galvanized steel are no longer used in homes, and any pipes made of these materials will need to be replaced with new materials. The four types of piping materials used in plumbing today are as follows:

  • Copper: Copper pipes are the gold standard of plumbing in today’s age. Copper pipes can last over 50 years, and its unique properties make it inhospitable to bacterial growth.
  • PVC: PVC is an economical choice for repiping and can handle high-pressure water lines. However, PVC cannot be used to transport hot water and works best with a combination of Copper or CPVC pipes. 
  • CVPC: CVPC costs slightly more than its PVC cousin, but it works much the same way. It is a lighter material than copper and easier to manipulate. The chlorinated material of CVPC allows it to withstand temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a suitable partner to PVC for hot water lines. 
  • PEX: PEX is a flexible type of plastic piping that is cheaper than CVPC and PVC. It lasts as long as PVC and CVPC and has become popular for newly built homes. However, PEX cannot be used outside, as it can be damaged by UV rays, and in some cases, the piping can change water flavor.

The (Condensed) Process of Repiping a Home 

The process of repiping a home is time-consuming and requires a plumber to have complete access to every part of the house. Homeowners should expect a team of two or more plumbers to handle the job, with heavy equipment and hazardous materials being moved and used in the home. 

Repiping starts with the removal of easily accessible old pipes. If a pipe is not accessible, the line to that pipe will be removed. Then, the new pipes will be installed. The process of repiping typically includes the installation of both hot and cold water pipes and frequently requires drilling holes through drywall and cement to make room for the pipes. The work can be dusty and loud, but homeowners should expect plumbers to clean up the mess they make. 

Once the repiping is finished, homeowners should consult with their plumber about any questions or concerns about the new system. They should also schedule an annual maintenance appointment for the next year to keep their pipes running smoothly. 

Repiping a home can be a daunting process, but a reliable plumber will guide the homeowner through every step of the way.

About Super Plumbers

The people of Tyler, TX, have been helped with their plumbing problems by Super Plumbers for over a decade. Their complete dedication to quality products, fair prices, and honest work has made them a household name since they first opened. Their respectful technicians are ready to serve their community 24/7. Call Super Plumbers today for more information about repiping services in Tyler.

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