Guide to Maintaining Old Plumbing Pipes in Virginia Beach, VA

If you have an older home, you understand that in exchange for the charm and vintage design, you may have extra maintenance tasks to do. For vintage homes with old plumbing pipes, you may need expert plumbing services in Virginia Beach, VA, to manage maintenance. Licensed plumbers can inspect the system and determine whether plumbing system upgrades are necessary.

Learn more about the steps you should take to deal with weak pressure issues and lead pipe replacement or maintenance.

Common Types of Old Pipes in Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, VA, traces its roots to the 1600s, but the modern city of almost half a million people didn’t start growing significantly until after World War II. With many homes built here in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, local residential plumbing systems can be several decades old.

Some of the most common types of older plumbing pipe materials that exist in homes include:

• Galvanized steel
• Stainless steel
• Cast iron
• Lead

Modern installations for residential plumbing pipe systems typically use copper and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). If plumbers determine that you need a plumbing system replacement of older materials, they’ll install one of these more modern materials.

Galvanized Steel

Many local homes have galvanized steel pipes, which builders commonly installed through the 1990s. However, these old plumbing pipes are prone to corrosion after a few decades, which could result in leaks and water pressure issues.

To maintain galvanized pipes, plumbers focus on protecting the zinc coating on the pipe to avoid the formation of rust.

Stainless Steel 

Builders began installing stainless steel pipes in the 1950s, and they were a popular choice for a few decades. Regular cleaning of the stainless steel — both inside and outside — prevents the formation of corrosion.

Cast Iron 

Extremely old homes may have cast iron pipes, as they were a common choice for many decades before the 1950s. To maintain old cast iron, avoid using drain cleaners. Don’t pour grease down the drain.

Regular leak detection is vital with cast iron pipes, which corrode as they age.

Lead 

Builders used lead in plumbing pipes from the late 1800s through the 1940s. Federal law banned the use of lead in plumbing in 1986 because of the health dangers. If plumbers discover that you still have lead water supply pipes, you should replace them.

Signs That Your Old Pipes Need Maintenance

If you have old plumbing pipes, you should have a plumbing inspection done every one to three years. Expert plumbers can look for signs of damage that could eventually cause a leak or complete failure of the pipe and plumbing system.

Discolored Water

If you see yellowish or rusty colors in your water, you could have problems with rusted water supply pipes. Rust eventually leads to holes in the materials that can cause a leak or a burst pipe.

Odd Odors

When the water smells strange as it comes out of your faucets, contaminants from corrosion inside the old plumbing pipes might create the odd odor. You need maintenance services from licensed plumbers to clean the interior of the pipe and fix any corroded sections.

Frequent Leaks

If you see plumbing leaks, corrosion and loose pipe joints might be to blame. A plumber can inspect the system to track down the source of the leak. Unchecked water leaks can damage drywall and flooring.

Scale Buildup

Regular inspections and maintenance to combat scale buildup are important in Virginia Beach, VA. This area has problems with hard water, which could lead to scale buildup on the interior of the pipes. Scale buildup can restrict water flow or create clogs inside the sewer lines.

If you don’t have a water softener installed, look for signs of scale buildup, such as gray-colored crusty deposits on the ends of faucets.