HAVE A QUESTION CALL NOW (203) 463‑2257
Written on: July 22, 2024
The homes in New Haven County and the rest of our western Connecticut service region were built over many decades. Seymour Oil & Propane provides plumbing services for households that are over a century old, some that were built recently and just about every age in between.
Whatever the age of your home, it’s important to know what kind of pipes it has. Multiple types of setups and materials can supply water to your taps, fixtures and appliances, but some are more reliable and safe than others. In this post, we will take you through the different types of plumbing your home might have.
From the 17th century until the mid-20th century, cast iron pipes were the epitome of modern plumbing. Cast iron is just about the heaviest material you could find in your home’s plumbing. As you might imagine, these pipes last a very long time. However, they are susceptible to rusting. If a cast iron pipe is becoming corroded, the best course of action is to replace it with a more modern material.
Steel is also durable but vulnerable to corrosion. Steel pipes were popular for home construction for much of the 20th century. A steel pipe might have a lifespan of 50 years. However, there are potential dangers to retaining old steel plumbing, particularly galvanized steel.
Galvanized steel pipes are lined with zinc on the inside. This lining can build up sediment and other debris over time, making these pipes prone to narrowing and clogging. The zinc lining also leeches impurities into water, including lead. This can create a considerable health risk. If you believe you have galvanized steel plumbing, please get in touch with us to look at it. It might be time to replace these pipes.
Copper pipes have been common for home plumbing since the 1960s. Copper is extremely sturdy. It’s also resistant to corrosion. From a performance perspective, copper pipes have few drawbacks. However, copper is more expensive than other modern materials, and this makes it appealing to thieves.
Starting in the 1970s, we began seeing a shift away from metal plumbing and toward plastic, including PVC (polyvinyl chloride), CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). This material has many significant advantages. Plastic pipes are cost-effective and lightweight while retaining the durability and corrosion resistance of copper. These are adaptable pipes, too. They can have screw-on joints that can join plumbing sections easily.
One of the only downsides to plastic plumbing is that it can be vulnerable to extremely hot temperatures.
Whatever the age or material of your home’s plumbing, the Seymour Oil & Propane plumbing services team has the experience and training to address your concerns. Our plumbers are licensed by the state of Connecticut. You can count on us for run-of-the-mill repairs like clogs, leaks and drips. We’re also available for larger jobs like pipe replacements and installations. You can rest assured that our team will treat your home with respect and leave your plumbing in a pristine, high-performing condition.
We know the homes of western Connecticut! Contact Seymour Oil & Propane to arrange plumbing service.