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How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Plumbing

Posted By On December 21 2022
How to know when it’s time to replace your plumbing

You turn on the tap in your kitchen, and hear rumbling and rattling noises before the water slowly trickles out of the faucet. 

Or, maybe you finish a load of laundry and find that there is a lingering smell on the clothes and in the drum that you can’t quite figure out where it’s coming from.

These and many other situations are indications that your pipes may be coming to the end of their life and need to be replaced and upgraded. 

While the idea of a complete renovation can appear somewhat daunting, it may be necessary to do. A professional plumber will be able to advise on what needs to be done as a priority and what can wait. 

When the decision has been made to proceed, a dumpster rental will assist with the debris that inevitably comes from removing all the faulty pipes, making way for the new ones to be placed.

However, how do you know when the pipes have exceeded their shelf life? What are the signs to look out for? By reviewing a few simple factors, you can determine if you need to call the plumber today, or in the next few years.

How old is your home?

The plumbing in your home will have a certain life expectancy. Depending on the materials used and when they were constructed, you may have many years left, or they may need attention sooner rather than later.

Modern and newly built homes will not be a concern. However, if you have purchased a house that is more than approximately 20 years old, then you should have a plumber examine it and advise if there is anything that needs urgent attention.

Remember, different materials have different life spans. This determines how long they will take to corrode, crack, leak, or cause issues with the water itself. For example, consider the following materials: 

  • Brass, iron, and galvanized steel: Commonly used in early developments of towns, when your closest neighbour was only a short drive away, these materials were selected for their durability. As such, these pipes have an average lifespan of approximately 80 to 100 years.

  • Copper pipes: This is a cheaper material available when it was used in construction, allowing it to be used throughout the property without adding to the cost of the build.

    Flexible enough to bend around corners and durable to withstand high pressures, it has an approximate lifespan of 70 to 80 years.

  • PVC pipes:  A newer material that is versatile and flexible and has been widely used for many years now, PVC piping is shown to have a lifespan of only 24 to 50 years.

  • Lead pipes: Should you find that there are lead pipes in the property, these need to be replaced immediately.

    Lead will leach toxins into the water over time, and this can have an impact on your health, which can be deadly the longer it is left in place.

The materials used in the construction of the property will help you to determine its age. The older the house, the more likely it is that the plumbing will need to be upgraded to prevent leaks and water damage from happening suddenly and being costly to resolve.

Should the water be that colour?

Your water supply should be clear if you live in the city. There should be no colour to it when you hold it up in a glass in the light. 

Properties in rural areas, which are not connected to a main water supply and use well water, for example, will have a slight discolouration to their water. 

This is usually from iron filters, and has a hint of yellow to it.

So, if your water is anything other than crystal clear, this is a sign that something in your pipes is wrong and needs to be checked out. 

Shower or dishwasher time?

There is something about having a nice hot shower at the end of a long day. Also, it’s good to know that your dishwasher has successfully cleaned your dishes, and that the washing machine has washed your clothes, so you have something to wear the next day. 

However, what happens when they don’t work the way they should? No one should have to choose between a shower with enough pressure to wash the day away and clean plates for dinner.

A decline in water pressure can be caused by a leak in a pipe somewhere, or a blockage due to a build up of rust or other debris.

Time for That Reno!

All the signs point to a need for renovation. Things need to change and be upgraded, whether it’s the plumbing in one room or the whole property.

The plumber has been to your home and advised you on what needs to happen. So, you start working on the plan to get everything updated and refreshed. 

A dumpster greatly relieves the stress of determining what to do with the old broken, damaged, and unwanted pipes and other debris generated during any renovation process. They can hold all types of waste and can be removed when done.

Your rental company can also advise you on the best way to dispose of the materials, including items such as lead or brass pipes. This helps you to ensure that the materials are safely disposed of, and no fines are incurred from improper disposal.

Some materials, such as copper, may be able to be reused or sold if it’s still in relatively good condition.

For a garbage bin rental in Toronto, Scarborough Disposal Ltd. is the company to call for all your dumpster needs.

Specializing in different sizes and styles to accommodate any job, and with the added bonus of being able to deliver and pick up the dumpster as well, our bin rentals will prove to be an asset to your renovation project.

Visit us online or call 1-416-265-7979 to speak to our expert team, and let us help you get started with your renovation today.

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