What Are Old Plumbing Pipes Made Of?

Before you spend a fortune on new plumbing, it’s important to understand what your pipes are made of. If your home was built before the 1990s, it is possible that its pipes were made of materials that aren’t approved by the United States building codes. If your home has been renovated within the last few decades, you may have new pipes that replace old ones. If you’re unsure of what your pipes are made of, it’s best to have them checked by a professional. In the late 1800s, orangeburg pipes, also known as fiber conduit, were used widely. These pipes were created by impregnating wood fibers with coal-tar pitch. Fiber conduit pipes were used for sanitary sewers, water transmission, and electrical lines. They were supposed to last up to 50 years, but many of them failed within ten years. Orangeburg pipes may still be found in some older buildings. They tend to warp, collapse, and become infected by tree roots. Polybutylene, which was originally introduced as a substitute for copper pipes, was widely used through the 1980s. A lawsuit over the material’s defective pipes led the manufacturer to pay millions of dollars in a settlement. Polybutylene is prone to chemical reactions with oxidants in public water systems, which made the pipe flake and crack when exposed. The pipes were primarily used in mobile homes, but homes built in the 1980s and early 1990s may have polybutylene pipes. These pipes are no longer rated by the US building code. Fortunately, there are a variety of materials available for pipes. Steel pipes, for example, are surprisingly durable. However, they can also be costly and difficult to install, which makes them unpopular in modern homes. For this reason, you should be familiar with the material your pipes are made of before you tackle a repair job. And you can also find some useful information by researching the internet and asking a professional. In addition to copper and iron, there are two other types of old plumbing pipes. Galvanized steel is a metal that was once coated with zinc. Over time, the zinc coating on the pipe wears off, which leads to rust. It also causes water pressure and quality problems. For this reason, it is important to replace any galvanized pipes in older homes. The lifespan of galvanized pipes is approximately 50 to 70 years. Before the 1960s, cast iron was common for horizontal and vertical drain lines. But over time, cast iron can rust. If you’re unsure of the pipe material you have, a professional plumber can replace rusted sections with plastic pipes. ABS and PVC plastic pipe are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. You can even glue the joints with liquid cement. However, if you don’t want to risk the damage caused by corrosion, you may want to consider other materials. Sewer pipes have been used for centuries. During that time, all types of pipes were designed to last 100 years or more. But in some places, the orangeburg pipes, which were meant to last only 50 years, didn’t work out so well. These pipes are now rare, and are usually replaced by PVC ones. Cast iron and clay pipes, on the other hand, can last for 75 to 100 years. Click here to learn more about local derby back boiler service.