Do you have any of these pipe types in your home?

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure that the pipes in your home are of the best quality available. At Mister Greenway, our plumbers will provide you with top quality service for whatever plumbing work you need done. If you’re noticing signs of wear, flaking, rust, or leaks with your pipes, it’s best to have them replaced to prevent potential damage to your home. Replumbing may seem like a hassle, but with the correct pipes you won’t have to worry about any plumbing issues in the future.
Here are 3 pipes that you should stop using in your home:

#1 Pipe Type To Change: Lead Pipes

If you have an older home, it’s possible that some of your pipes are still made of lead. Until the 1930s, lead was one of the main materials used for home plumbing pipes. Most lead pipes were used to connect your municipality’s water supply lines to your home. Medical professionals now associate lead as being toxic to your health, so it’s extremely important to get any lead pipes replaced.

#2 Pipe Type To Change: Polybutylene Pipes

Replacing lead pipes in the 70s and up to the mid-90s, polybutylene pipes have been used in the southern, midwest, and northwest of the United States. Polybutylene pipes have been found to react poorly with chlorine, which can damage them over time. If you are aware of polybutylene pipes in your home, our plumbing experts at Greenway Plumbing can have them replaced for an affordable price.

#3 Pipe Type To Change: Orangeburg Pipes

Bituminous fiber pipes, commonly known as Orangeburg pipes, are used for drainage and sewage purposes in most homes. Since these pipes are found underneath your home, they are susceptible to water and tree root damage. Replacing them will ensure that you won’t have any plumbing or sewage problems in the future. 

What Types Of Pipes Do I Have In My Home?

When checking any pipes in your home, you’ll want to look for any wear, flaking, rusting, or brown or black coloring to the pipes. These are the typical signs that your pipe quality is starting to deteriorate. It is also important that you monitor your water quality as well. Changes in the color, taste, or smell can also be signs that you need to replace your pipes. Replacing bad pipes before they leak or cause damage to your home is very important. A trained plumber can better assess your plumbing to determine if you’re in need of new pipes.
If you or someone you know have lead, polybutylene, or orangeburg pipes in your home, it is recommended that the pipes are removed and replaced. Mister Greenway provides top-quality plumbing services and can handle any of your plumbing needs. Redoing your old pipes will ensure that your plumbing system is up to standard and that your home is protected from any plumbing issues. If you have questions about plumbing pipes or would like one of our plumbers to assess your current pipes, please contact us at mistergreenway.com.

Why do pipes freeze?

Pipes freeze when water expands due to the formation of ice during freezing temperatures. This expansion leads to blockages which cause water pressure to build up.

How can I keep my pipes from freezing?

The reality is that even well-insulated pipes can become exposed to cold air through tiny cracks and crevices, and even the most diligent of homeowners can find themselves without running water due to frozen and busted pipes. There are, however, a few ways to help prevent your pipes from freezing, and it’s worth your while to take some time preparing for the winter months to do everything you can to protect them. Trust us – it’s far less expensive to invest in extra insulation and a routine plumbing inspection than to pay for the cost of repairs for broken pipes and plumbing systems!

SCHEDULE A PLUMBING INSPECTION TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE AND PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

Let Faucets Drip

You’ve probably heard this one before, but allowing faucets to drip really can prevent pipes from bursting, and it’s one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for doing so. Allowing faucets to drip slowly doesn’t raise energy costs to an alarming rate, but it does allow water to move continuously through your plumbing system to prevent water pressure from building up during blockages caused by ice formation and water expansion.

Keep the Heat On

Keeping the heat on 24/7 may not be an option for you, but if possible, allow your home to remain heated in order to prevent pipes from being exposed to below freezing temperatures without any heat protection.

READ MORE: Energy Efficient Holiday Decor

Check for Damage

If you live in the northern regions of the United States, your home likely has pipes inside the house to help prevent cold weather damage, but pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and in outside walls are still at risk of freezing and becoming blocked, which can lead to damage. Before the cold weather sets in each year, and periodically over the winter, check to ensure pipes are not damaged and that no holes or cracks are allowing cold air to seep into those areas where pipes can become exposed to below freezing temperatures. Pay special attention to areas where telephone, cable, and satellite wires enter and exit your home and around your eaves and roof.

I NEED A PLUMBER TO MAKE SURE MY PIPES AREN’T DAMAGED

Add Extra Insulation

Pipes that are well insulated from cold temperatures with durable, long-lasting insulation or those that have added insulation and protection during winter months are far less likely to burst. If your home is undergoing any amount of redesign or renovations, consider adding extra insulation to your pipes to prevent them from bursting, and if necessary, purchase pipe insulating materials from your local home improvement or hardware store to help protect your pipes from below freezing temperatures during the winter months.

READ MORE: 5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Heating System

Move to Hawaii

If all else fails, and the cold weather and freezing temperatures are just too much for you and your plumbing system, there’s always Hawaii. For those of us who have to stay in the Mid-South, having a plumbing expert on call can help prevent unwanted disasters caused by busted pipes.

When should I call a plumber?

If you suspect your pipes may be damaged or frozen, call a plumber immediately. A professional plumber has the tools and equipment necessary to inspect pipes with a small camera that can indicate exactly if and where pipe damage may be located.

If you have an emergency, give us a call at 901-245-5710, and our experienced, friendly technicians will be at your door as soon as possible. Stay warm this winter!

GREENWAY PLUMBING SERVICES

When should I call a plumber?

If you want our honest opinion, there are very few instances in which you shouldn’t call a plumber when it comes to working with pipes and plumbing, and chances are you’d rather not get your hands dirty when the task involves dirty sewage and clogged drains. In addition to unpleasant smells, plumbers have to deal with a variety of issues that are best left to the experts. Here are few of the instances in which you’re better off giving the pros a call.

Broken, Blocked, or Busted Pipes

If you believe the water or sewage lines in and around your home are broken, busted, frozen, or blocked, always consult a professional. The last thing you want to worry about when working on home renovations and repairs is having to explain to the insurance company and the city just how exactly you flooded your home and yard. because the water lines in your home are connected to pipes that move water and sewage throughout your neighborhood and city, damaged or broken pipes can affect not only your home and yard, but also those of neighbors and nearby residents.

Greenway technicians have the ability to inspect pipes with cameras that can pinpoint the exact location of a blockage or a breakage. We’ll replace and repair any blocked or broken sewer or water lines in both residential and commercial areas throughout Memphis and Nashville.

Installations and Renovations

If you’re renovating a kitchen or bathroom, or if you’re installing a new sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, water heater, or garbage disposal system in a new or existing home, give a professional plumber a call. In addition to ensuring the correct pipes and lines are connected, a professional plumber can ensure water is properly turned on and off before and after a job.

In addition to working with water lines that are connected to city pipes, plumbers often have to work with electricity when installing and connecting new appliances and fixtures, and there’s probably no need to explain what can happen when you attempt to work with electricity without a professional.

If You Smell Sewage

If you smell sewage in your home or yard, call a plumber immediately. This could be a sign of broken or damaged sewage lines, and delaying a call could be the difference between a small problem and a major catastrophe.

Concerned about a plumbing issue or installation project? Give our team a call. Our professional technicians operate throughout Memphis and Nashville and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re a homeowner or commercial representative, we can provide a variety of plumbing repair and installation services at an affordable price.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT