Galvanized Steel Pipes
Between the 1930s and the 1980s, most contractors and plumbers built homes with galvanized steel pipes. Later, professionals discovered that galvanized steel rusted and corroded relatively easily. This corrosion resulted in blockages quite easily. They also release lead into the water, leading to water discoloration and potential illness. Often, old houses throughout the Tampa area have at least some galvanized steel pipes left in them, because replacing an entire piping system was too expensive.
Copper Pipes
If your house is from the 1960s, there’s a good chance you have copper pipes. Copper pipes are one of the best types of pipes you can have. The only concern with existing copper is the potential for lead in older copper pipes. Installing copper pipes is quite expensive, which is why many Tampa homeowners go with another material, like PVC, when replacing pipes.
PVC
You find PVC in older houses that have had plumbing lines replaced. Many people choose to replace galvanized steel or cast-iron pipes with PVC because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install. PVC doesn’t rust or corrode like most metal pipes do, and it handles high-pressure water very well. However, you can’t run hot water through PVC pipes, or they might warp. You’ll need copper or CPVC for hot water lines.
The age of your Tampa house alone won’t always provide clues to possible problems with your plumbing system. Here at Cass Plumbing, we know the ins and outs of all Tampa plumbing systems. Give us a call at 813-265-9200, so we can evaluate your system and make reliable recommendations. Even if everything looks great now, we can give you a list of things to look out for and perform maintenance techniques that will make your plumbing system last longer.
