Repiping | Water Line Repair in Fort Worth
Selecting a Pipe Material
Homeowners often want to know how long they can expect their pipes to last. It can be useful to know the lifespan of your piping, and the ideal situation is when it reaches the end of its lifespan to replace it before costly damage occurs from leaks. Unfortunately, how long piping will last is affected by factors that not all homes experience equally. These factors include the type of pipe, soil, other environmental characteristics, and installation. The following are some of the major highlights of common pipe materials that may be in your home, and those you can select for repiping when your home requires water line repair in Fort Worth.
Brass Pipes (Supply Line)
Brass pipe is found primarily in older homes. The expected lifespan of brass pipe is between 40 and 70 years. The thickness of the pipe and water composition can affect its lifespan. The presence of brass most likely indicates piping from the 1950s or prior, and you will want to consider repiping with water line repair in Fort Worth.
PEX Pipes
PEX pipe is the most recent addition to modern pipe materials. Although it lacks the age of other pipe materials in the U.S., it has been in use for decades in Europe. Furthermore, recent studies indicate it can last indefinitely when properly installed. Among its numerous advantages is flexibility. PEX is easier to install due to its superior flexibility that outshines any other pipe material available for water line repair in Fort Worth. However, PEX is vulnerable to UV light, with sunlight exposure resulting in degradation of the material. Therefore, PEX is not recommended for outdoor use or in direct sunlight.
Furthermore, the property of flexibility reduces the number of required fittings, and consequently reduces the number of areas vulnerable to a leak. PEX provides an economical advantage to homeowners in need of water line repair in Fort Worth.
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Galvanized steel pipes can last 20 to 50 years, depending on environmental, and water conditions. Galvanized pipe was coated internally to resist corrosion, and unfortunately, when the coating is worn away, corrosion sets in, and water quality can become poor. Galvanized pipe is an outdated pipe material and is no longer in use. If your home or business has outdated galvanized pipes consider repiping with Benjamin Franklin’s water line repair in Fort Worth before damage occurs.
Copper Pipe
While the cost of copper pipe has risen in recent years, it can last half of a century or more. Copper’s one of the best options on the market, and is ideal for outdoor applications. Talk to your plumber about the best piping solution for your home.
PVC Pipes (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Like PEX pipes, PVC pipe can last indefinitely. According to the Water Research Foundation, you can expect PVC pipe to last over a century. PVC pipe is corrosion and chemical resistant. Lightweight PVC is extremely strong, and resistant to fracture and pressure. However, like PEX, PVC is vulnerable to the UV rays of sunlight and is not for use in exposed outdoor locations, such as outdoor faucets.
Replacing aged pipes offers benefits such as:
- Optimal water pressure
- No contamination to water
- An end to leaky pipes
- Greater peace of mind
- Provides a selling point for your home when listed
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s licensed, professional plumbers provide a wide range of reliable plumbing services, including repiping and water line repair in Fort Worth. We provide the Benjamin Franklin 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our plumbing services. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing serves Fort Worth, Arlington and the surrounding areas, and is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.