Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Pipe Replacement’

Polybutylene Piping and You, What You Need to Know

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Polybutylene Piping was a common material used in the plumbing systems of many commercial and residential buildings between 1978 and 1995. Due to its inexpensive cost it was used frequently as a material for the plumbing system piping in homes and businesses. Since 1995 it has been discovered that polybutylene piping is actually vulnerable to leakage, breakage or general erosion due to the reaction of the metal with certain common chemicals used to treat water.

It is important to know whether or not you have this type of piping in your house because it may be susceptible to these erosive type failures that can cause or lead up to catastrophic failure event. Beyond the potential for a major failure of the piping, it is also important to note that many insurance companies may not underwrite insurance for homes or business that have this type of material. You could find yourself unable to get adequate insurance due to the discovery of polybutylene, which means a full re-piping of your home may be required. This issue has been known to affect home sales as well, and is often something a potential buyer will ask be fixed prior to completion of the sale. There have also been incidents of insurance companies dropping homeowner policies upon discovery of this plumbing material, making it extremely important to find out if your home contains this material and catching plumbing issues early.

If you find your home or business has this type of piping you may be asking yourself what the next step should be. Call us at Modern Plumbing Inc and we will come inspect the piping for your plumbing and give you some options for replacement. We want to protect our community residences and residents as well as local businesses, many times just getting an expert opinion can start you on your way towards having peace of mind that your plumbing is safe. If you live in the greater Orlando or Winter Springs, FL area give us a call today!

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What You Need to Know About Water Heaters and Pipe Replacement

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

Your water heater get s a ton of use every single day. It is probably one of your most-used appliances. While you are probably aware that problems can develop with your water heater itself, did you know that you can also have issues with the pipes that lead into it?

Your water heater uses several different types of pipes in order to deliver cold water to it and to pump heated water into your home. There are probably some copper pipes as well as some plastic pipes as well leading into or out of your system. Here are a few common things that you need to know about these pipes.

  • Copper pipes – These types of pipes are used to carry water because of their durability and resistance to corrosion. Because your water heater uses so much water it can take a toll on plastic pipes. However, these types of pipes are more difficult to repair because the copper must be cut and soldered in order to replace the pipes.
  • Plastic PVC – Another common type of pipe you might see near your water heater is PVC. This will usually only be used for fresh water intake as this kind of pipe is not often used with hot water. This is an easier type of pipe to work with because it doesn’t need to be soldered.

Causes of Pipe Replacement

There are a couple common things that can cause your water heater’s pipes to need replacement. One common cause is corrosion. If your home’s water supply is of a certain acidity or if you have hard water, it can cause minerals or corrosion to build up inside the pipes. This will cause huge issues for your water heater. Rust is another issue that can develop and cause the need for pipe replacement. While copper is very resistant to rust, the soldering material used to fit the pipes together (referred to as “flux”) can start to rust. And, of course, there are pipes made of other materials that can be used in your home, such as steel and polybutylene, which can can also have issues with both rust and corrosion. If you are not sure what your water heater pipes are made of, call your local Orlando plumber to examine your system.

If you need water heater repair in Orlando, make sure that you call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) .

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Polybutylene Piping in Your Orlando House? Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Can Help!

Monday, July 22nd, 2013

Your plumbing system is a critical part of your home, and it’s important to know what materials are used in its construction. Between 1978 and 1995, a type of piping called polybutylene was used across the country because it was relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Over time, however, it was discovered that these pipes are susceptible to some of the chemicals used to treat water systems, and therefore vulnerable to erosion, leakage and breakage. While structures built since that time have not used this type of piping, there are many homes that should have polybutylene pipes replaced.

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we have come across this material on numerous occasions, and it may require a complete re-piping to pass inspection or to qualify for insurance. While this can be a major job, it is necessary in order to prevent catastrophic failure of the pipes, and to ensure the safety of your home. Being proactive is the best way to protect yourself from the issues that can arise from polybutylene pipes, so call us today to come take a look at your current system. We can recommend the best solution moving forward.

If you live in the Orlando, FL area and aren’t sure of what type of piping you have in your home, call one of our plumbing experts for professional consultation. We can run you through the steps necessary to move forward with replacing your system. Here at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we want our community to be safe from the types of major issues that can arise from a system using polybutylene piping. Let us help you protect your home.

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