What You Need to Know About Water Lines
One of the first questions people tend to ask as they consider having Pittsburgh water line repair work done is how long does a water line last? It’s perfectly understandable because people want to know how much bang for their buck they are getting.
Also, most of the time Pittsburgh water line repair work is being done; there is the option of complete replacement to consider. A good analogy would be someone dropping their vehicle off at a transmission shop to have some repair work done.
The cost of that repair work will always be factored against the car’s value after the work has been completed. Is it worth it? Or would they be better off buying a new car to avoid throwing good money after bad.
How Long Does a Water Line Last?
The truth is that nothing lasts forever, and water lines are no different in that respect. They have a general service life that is determined by a number of variables, with the first one being what type of water line it is.
Not all water lines are the same, and they can be broken down into two general categories, with those being pressurized supply lines and low-pressure drain lines. You can see this at your kitchen sink when you turn on the faucet.
The faucet water is coming out of a pressurized supply line, and then out the bottom, it goes, down a low-pressure drain line. So the first consideration is the volume and the pressure of the water a line will carry in determining what type will be used in a Pittsburgh water line repair.
What is the Difference Between Residential and Commercial Water Lines?
Then another question that’s commonly asked is what is the difference between residential and commercial water lines? The answer to this question is that just as above, there are some variables that account for the difference between residential and commercial water lines.
As an example, when you have flushed a tankless toilet at a local restaurant you may have visited, did you take a moment to gaze in wonder at the volume and pressure of the water that powered that commercial toilet flush?
The water line in this commercial setting is larger than the water line that fills the tank in your toilet at home. It has to be to produce the volume of water at the pressure required in this commercial setting. There are other differences, of course, but this is one that you have already seen and experienced.
What is the Best Pipe for the Main Water Line?
Still another common question asked is what is the best pipe for the main water line? Here again, there are several variables to consider, but the first one might be what type of pipe already exist if it’s a repair.
This is because if it’s galvanized steel that uses threaded fittings at its connection points, it may not be your best choice, but it could be your only choice for solid trouble-free connections.
There have been several new developments in water lines that have become available in recent years, which translates into more choices. One of the more notable is PEX. PEX has several benefits, with the first one being labor savings due to its flexibility. So PEX line can be threaded around obstacles and run up inside a building in much the same way as an electrical table is installed.
Then there is still copper pipe that’s available in a larger diameter than PEX, but it is more expensive.
What Makes Pittsburgh Water Line Repair Different?
Age is the main thing that makes Pittsburgh water line repair so different than what you would find in other areas of the country. Particularly in suburban areas of a city like Las Vegas that’s built on land that was barren desert just 80 years ago.
So the buildings are older, which means that the plumbing in and around them is also aging. Real old. So the plumbers in Pittsburgh tend to be more familiar with and adept at facilitating repairs on plumbing systems that are closing in on the tail end of their service life.
So then the next time someone asks you what makes Pittsburgh water line repair different than other areas of the country, you now have an answer to give them.
How do You Temporarily Fix a Leaking Main Water Line
If the supply line for your home or business has sprung a leak, then you may have already discovered that a lot of Pittsburgh plumbers, at least the best of them, tend to be booked up a week and even more ahead of time.
Of course, you can always find a qualified Pittsburgh plumber to come to your rescue on short notice, but that type of short notice service generally comes with an added cost. Particularly if it’s after hours.
So step one for doing a temporary repair is to locate the main valve and turn it off. Don’t start digging until this is done, or you’ll be stuck with a mud pit.
Then head on down to your local hardware store and pick up a wraparound water line clamp that you can screw on to hopefully stem the flow. If it’s a crusty rusted steel pipe, make sure to scrape the surface smooth before applying it so it seals better.
What Causes Water Lines to Fail?
If you are dealing with a water leak, then it’s perfectly understandable that you would be seeking an answer to the question, what causes water lines to fail? The answer is that there can be many causes alone or in combination when it’s a Pittsburgh water line repair situation.
So, for example, if it’s older steel or cast-iron water pipe, then a good guess might be that rust is the culprit. Or, if the water line has been exposed to freezing temperatures, that might be the cause if the water wasn’t properly drained from the line ahead of time.
Then there is always good old-fashioned slipshod initial installation or repair work that’s to blame. Someone who tried saving a few bucks by handing the job over to someone other than a licensed, bonded, and insured Pittsburgh plumbing contractor.