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With the recent plumbing technology, the problem with dezincification has been solved. However, there are homes that do not have the installation of the recent pipes. Therefore, corrosion known as dezincification can still affect their pipes although it has technically been solved.

Zinc in pipes is able to dissolve when it’s exposed to certain conditions. This is likely to happen with water containing chlorine, as it’s not only able to dissolve zinc but copper as well leaving it behind. Water with chlorine carries zinc in it leading to a lot of problems.

Although zinc is a requirement for good health, it can be toxic when it is beyond certain concentration. The corroded pipes will become weak and then fail eventually.

Different Ways to Stop Dezincification

The different ways to stop dezincification include:

1. The use of arsenic as an addition to the brass pipe
2. Utilizing tin as an alternative to arsenic
3. Using gunmetal to replace brass as it will not result to dezincification

Pipes that cannot undergo dezincification have labels for easy identification. For instance in Australia, pipes that are resistant to dezincification have labels of letters ‘’DR”, in the USA the labels are letters “CR” meaning “corrosion resistant”. Not to forget in the UK where the pipes have labels of letters “DZR”; as seen dezincification is indeed a serious problem.

This kind of corrosion cannot only lead to problems with your plumbing system, but it can also lead to health risks in the worst situations. You can avoid the risks that come with dezincification by using corrosion resistant pipes, which usually have labels. As a homeowner, it is important that you know that it is possible for you to avoid any risks of dezincification. This is especially a responsible thing to do as the alternative is having toxic water and pipe damage.

PEX messaging is all about your home and its plumbing system. It deals with retrofitting and updating your current plumbing system. PEX was primarily used for heating and plumbing system in the European countries.

It was developed in the 1960s, it then came into the US in the 1980s; PEX has now grown to be very vital in DIY and in professional applications.  It is therefore not a new material in the market, although you are unfamiliar with it, it has been in the market for some time now.

PEX is made of polyethylene; the material is durable when it comes to chemical attack, its usage for both cold and hot water applications and temperature. Thus when it comes to PEX, you can practically use it for any project in your house.  That is from your domestic cold and hot water supply to the valve which supplies cold water to the outdoor hose and to the forced hot water radiant heat.

Reasons for using PEX

When it comes to copper replacement and repairs, copper is used for repair and replacement. This requires hours of cutting pipe and fabrication of complex joints, which has countless turns and twists. Not to forget fusing of each joint with no assurance that the joint is a good one.

With PEX all the issues that come with replacing and repairing with copper is no more, PEX is very flexible hence, making turns and twists possible without the use of an odd or joint connector. In cases where you need to join two sections of the PEX material, there are a lot of fittings that are available. The fittings do not require advance plumbing skills or any special tools.

Therefore, PEX is the way to go; choose PEX when it comes to repairing or replacing of your plumbing system.

When it comes to fixing your piping system, you can either call a plumber or you can fix it yourself. It is however vital that you put in mind; that there are some plumbing problems that require you to contact a plumber, do not fix it yourself. How do you know that the leaking pipe is something that you can handle? Follow the guidelines highlighted:

Decide what to do

In the event that you have once worked on a plumbing problem; then you are aware of what is involved, you can, therefore, be able to do it. If the problem is something you have never encountered; it would be best if you research on it, therefore, enabling you to decide on whether or not to call an expert.

You know the problem

Knowing what the problem is, will work to your advantage as you can opt to fix it or not. Let’s look at an example; if your pipes are leaking and you know that it’s a cracked seal, you can use a plumber’s putty and you are good to go. If you do not know what is causing the pipes to leak, call an expert as sealing a split can make your leaking become worse.

Follow the directions as stated

If you are one of those individuals who does not like to follow instructions, instead they just wing with it. Well then, you are bound to incur even more problems with no idea of how to fix the problem. However, if you are very keen in following instructions and have an easy time when putting things together. You can be able to fix the problem using less time altogether.

Find a friend who is able to help

In case you are unable to do the job, you can have a friend come and help you fix the problem. Note that your friend ought to have some experience in plumbing; if your friend does not have experience in plumbing then it is wise for you to call a plumber.

Contact a plumber for information

Contacting a plumber does not mean that he has to be the one to fix your plumbing problem. Have the plumber do an assessment of your plumbing system. This way you will know what the problem is and if it will be worth it for the plumber to work on it, or know if you will be able to work on the problem. Knowing what the problem is will help you make quick and appropriate decisions.

Good residential plumbing companies ought to be a one-stop shop, which ensures that you do not need to make a call every single time you have a problem with the water supply. You also don’t have to call different plumbers to attend to your problem.

List of Services Provided by Residential Plumbers

The following is a list of services that residential plumbers can do to their customers:

1. Basic repairs

When it comes to homes, a majority of homes have issues with their clogged pipes or leaking pipes. Good residential plumbers are able to provide you with fast, affordable price repair services. They will also have an individual so that you can access them 24/7 in the event that an emergency occurs.

2. Hydro Jetting

This is a modern technology process, which involves high pressured water being passed through the pipes; in order to remove plumbing problems and accumulation of debris or sludge.  Doing this process allows your system to be able to run smoothly all year.

3. Home repiping

Leaking and corrosion of pipes can be as a result of age or hard water. When your home requires a repiping job to be done, contact a residential plumber to fix the problem for you.

4. Water heaters

Trustworthy plumbing companies, ought to be able to give its customer services of either replacement or repair of their water heater.  Your plumbing professional should be qualified to a point where you don’t need to get in touch with another specialist; even if it involves either having a tank or tankless system. Good plumbers have the capacity of offering to you the solution that you so wish to have.

Time, convenience, affordability and quality determine the service that your plumber will give to you. The mentioned services are just some of the services they can render to you.

Bathrooms in our homes are the rooms that we frequently go to, yet we easily pay no attention to. The washroom tends not to receive the annual improvement plan, as a homeowner, it is important that you note, there are cheap and easy ways of improving your bathroom’s appearance. Improving your bathroom appearance will greatly brighten your home.

You can improve your restroom by reinstalling new vessel faucets at the sink. Take advantage of copper repiping in the process, as it will make the bathroom look even better.  Installation of a new faucet and sink is an excellent way of starting a make-over. The mentioned make-over can easily change the theme of your bathroom from an old, rusty appearance to a sleek and conventional look.

Not to forget, there are pieces which offer beauty to your bathroom; but they are also functional in the restroom.

Steps in Changing Your Faucet

1. Determining the spot for the vessel faucet. A spot is a place where the vessel faucet will fit very well. Do this when you have already put in place the vessel sink. The vessel faucet and the sink are often bought together; ensure that the spot of the faucet is within the sink so as to prevent spilling of water when water is running.
2. Remove all the bolts inside the package setting them aside, ensure that not even a piece is missing.
3. Connect the faucet to the water supply lines; they should fit perfectly without any loose screws. Loose screws can result to a lot of water wastage
4. Using a wrench which allows you to fasten all the connections without damaging the pipes is essential. The pipes are not to be wrenched up all the way, this is because; it can lead to a leak or a broken pipe. The seal should be just right, as over tightening will bend the pipes.

When you are done changing the faucets, you should be able to notice the new aura from your bathroom. You can now move to copper repiping when you are done installing the new vessel faucet; hence, making these the best plan of reinventing your washroom.

Over the years plumbing has a lot of options that you can choose from. Old houses have a lot of pipe options that you can decide on for repairs and remodels. The different options that you have as a homeowner can at times get along or at other times can be very messy. Remember that the pipes you choose have an expiration date, therefore choose one that will last longer.

In the market today, there are a lot of pipes that you can choose from; the PEX pipes, CPVC and copper being among the best options. We are going to look at PEX and the CPVC pipes.

PEX pipes

When it comes to PEX, it is not a material that you can use in the interior pipes that carries water.  PEX are in roll form, it is a big hose pipe which necessarily does not have to run in a straight line. Its connected by the use of another crimp ring system, which are huge but not the main culprit. They are very easy to install, and they are no affected by acidic water.

CPVC pipes

CPVC is preferred as it has prevailed the test of time. When it comes to CPVC, serious plumbing skills and neatness is vital. CPVC is welded chemically with glue and solvent, they are able to handle extreme temperatures of up to 180⁰F; therefore, a good option for hot water services.

When a CPVC joint is leaking, it leaks for the first twelve hours under pressure. If there are crimp rings that were improperly installed, they will pop apart at any given time. Polybutylene has a history of a lot of failures, therefore, replacing your polybutylene pipes with either copper or CPVC is essential. PEX is not recommended because it is not an appropriate option for the interior water pipes.

CPVC pipes do not respond well to the chemicals and bug sprays that are applied to it. Having gone through the properties of this two types of pipes, you can now choose which material to use for replacing your polybutylene pipes. Be aware of the benefits and the disadvantages of choosing CPVC or PEX pipes, before actually picking one.

When selling a house it is mandatory for the house to have an inspection done, in most cases the inspection report tends to have at least one black mark. With this the price for your home will need to be reduced, which will lead to you wondering whether or not to bolt or not. There are many things that can be the cause of being a deal breaker for your home. We are going to look at polybutylene piping.

In the 1980s polybutylene was consider the best; due to its affordability as it was cheaper than copper pipes, easy to install plus flexible although they did not last for long. Polybutylene was found to degrade because of chlorine which was in municipal water supplies. Therefore, polybutylene with time would end up leaking causing floods. The damage that polybutylene causes is from the inside out, hence, you may not be able to notice the damage in the pipes until the pipes either fail or start to spew water in the basement.

When it comes to polybutylene pipes they usually fail between 10 to 15 years of use. They are unpredictable when they fail although one thing is clear, they will fail with time. The pipes show no visible signs of being in distress. The municipal water has oxidizing agents which causes the inside of the pipe to become flake and brittle.

Polybutylene leaks begin at its unions and joints, which can be inside a wall where a small leak can result to a substantial damage if it is not attended to. Polybutylene pipes can be black or blue, gray or white in color. Black or white pipe may not necessarily be polybutylene. In order to be sure have a professional check it out.

With all the problems that involve the polybutylene pipes, houses with such piping system tend not obtain buyers.  The houses are harder to sell plus they have a possibility of a legal action from the buyers to the seller.

Your water pressure is one of the most important checkups that a plumber can make in your home. When checking your water pressure this involves, hooking of a standard water pressure gauge on the outside hose spigot. Having high water pressure is a common problem in a given residence.

When it comes to plumbing problems such as; dripping faucets, premature failing water heaters, pipe noise, plus high water bills; they are easily noticed as compared to having an optimal water pressure. When it comes to reducing water pressure on the streets so that it comes to the acceptable range, installation of the Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV) is necessary. Installation of the PRV is at the point where the water service line is entering a home.

In the event that you have the signs that are related to water pressure, then the PRV which is in your home might not be doing its job. To solve this issue PRV replacement will be the way to go. In times when you are experiencing a low water pressure, your fixtures tend not to perform very well. Your daily chores become unpleasant, difficult or annoying.

Causes of Low Water Pressure

• A clogged or a malfunctioning PRV
• Crimped or undersized water line
• Clogging or malfunctioning at particular fixtures.

Low water pressure is able to cause a crimped water line. In such cases the water pressure outside of a particular spigot can be normal. When uncovering the crimped lines, measure the water pressure after turning on the fixtures in the house. When pressure is taken and the fixtures in the house are in use, it is known as flow pressure.

Water pressure issues build up with time, thus it may be a bit difficult to notice when your water is at high or low pressure. It is important for you as a home owner to check your water pressure routinely.  This helps you to avoid problems that can be costly.

You can use a watts presure guage, since it’s designed to be connected to a residential hosebibb. Having your water pressure checked after some time is important. You might be missing to fix an easy problem that later becomes a bigger problem, which will be more costly later.

When it comes to your home piping system, they are designed to at least last for 30 years or more. Although as a homeowner, it is important for you to note that your piping system can wear down earlier than expected. Thus, requiring the whole house repiping to be done. We have a team of professionals who have decades of experience and have worked on different plumbing systems of homes

Replacing Old, Damage Pipes

As a homeowner, how do you know that your home is in serious need of a repiping job?

• You will start experiencing low water pressure
• You get burning hot water in the shower when someone turns on the washing machine, flushes the toilet or uses the sink
• You have yellow-colored water springing from the shower heads

When you notice the signs above, you know that you need repiping services so as to improve your plumbing system. When it comes to polybutylene or lead pipes, no matter their age they ought to be immediately replaced. This is because, polybutylene pipes are very fragile, therefore, they are susceptible to breakage. Also when it comes to lead pipes, they pose a health hazard to the household as it contaminates drinking water.

Lead and polybutylene pipes do not meet the standard codes of plumbing. In the event that they are not replaced, they pose health hazards to your family plus long-term damage to your property.

Repiping Process for the Whole House (house repiping)

Our professionals at SUPER MARIO REPIPE are equipped to handle any kind or a repiping job. In case our repair fails within the first two years, we repair it again for free. Replacing your pipes for the whole house not only saves you hundreds of dollar with time, but it also makes your plumbing system more efficient.

During a repiping job SUPER MARIO REPIPE does the following:

1. Replace the supply plumbing system of your home
2. Route the new pipes through the same holes either on the floor or walls, then tightly sealing the excess space.
3. Replacing of the corroded pipes or the ones with slab holes completely rather than fixing it temporarily.
4. Testing of your plumbing system’s pressure and flushing them out after installing the new pipes.

Contact us at SUPER MARIO REPIPE for a repiping job for your house. Our professionals offer the best services.

You can make an impact to the environment by simply using a more efficient energy source; plus carrying out routine maintenance and upgrades.  You can be able to go green and save money in the process. When it comes to environmental issues we have; global warming, carbon footprint and endangered species; with all these phrases, it can be difficult for you to know where exactly you fit in the picture and how you can help.

Going green is an efficient and a responsible way to go. What kind of impact can you have on the melting Arctic ice caps? How can you help animals like the Koalas considering; that you not a celebrity or a biologist. Contacting your professional plumber or an electrician, to have your equipment installed or having a repair job done will make your home go green.

Call a local plumber in order for you to learn more about the geothermal heating and cooling. This is a method that controls air temperatures in your home by the use of natural heat; which is stored in the ground around every property of a home.  You can also ask about the tankless water heater, which is an appliance that is able to heat water as required without having to waste energy. They function in the same way of keeping your home warm all day as the traditional water heater did; this reduces the use of energy plus the energy bills.

Before committing to go green, research and understand the ecological plus economic benefits that the green system has to offer. Meanwhile, your plumber can perform repairs in order to increase the efficiency of your plumbing system; plus reducing any waste. In case you have a leaking faucet, a lot of your water can go to waste; it is, therefore, essential; that you make an appointment with your plumber for a repair, repiping or any other service that is needed.

When it comes to going green it goes beyond plumbing. If you have an older house, the chances that your home is not equipped to handle the high amounts of energy, which is required in the modern life are high. Therefore, contact an electrician in order for you to determine whether or not you require an upgrade of the electrical panel. Having an old electrical panel is grossly inefficient and it can be very dangerous.

Older light bulbs can use a lot of energy than necessary, you can solve this issue by switching to LED lighting of the CFL bulbs, which helps to avoid inefficiency that neither you nor the earth can afford. The residential electricians will be able to switch your panels allowing you to:

• Enjoy a safer home
• Get better services
• Get help with services like energy-efficient lighting installation
• Enjoy lower energy bills

Switching to a green lifestyle takes time but it’s worth it to do so, as the adjustments and hardship pay off in the end.  Make a call to your local plumber, for you to be aware of the impact that as a homeowner you have in the world that is around you.

Why Copper Repiping? You might ask. Copper is a carefree metal, which is able to last a lifetime.  This property allows utilization of copper to be very common in business and in homes for years now. There are two types of copper; that is, in form of a soft coil which is several feet in a roll. The other type is in a ridged form it is hard and does not bend. It comes in sticks that go up to 10 feet. The ridged type of copper is commonly used in the water lines.

When your water system is experiencing leaks or it’s worn out, you need to replace it. Galvanized steel pipes were used in older homes; as a result, with time the pipes tend to develop leaks and rusty spots. When this happens the piping system is bristle and you cannot repair it, you will need to replace it. When replacing, you can use copper as it has been service tested.

Copper Repiping requirement

• First turn off the main water valve, drain the water in the piping system
• Then remove the existing piping system, in the event that you are not going to reuse the existing piping, you can cut it into little pieces. This will make it easy for you to handle, make the cuts at the corners, therefore, saving on the damages to be made on the walls or ceiling.
• In the areas where there was eradication of the pipes in order to place new pipes in the area, hire a professional or you can measure the project
• Ensure that the diameter of the pipe is big enough, so as to have adequate water pressure in your home.
• If you are using copper ¾ inch, main lines ought to be branched down to a half an inch line that is going to the faucet or valve. Figure out the estimates of pipes plus their sizes that you will require.
• Then know the fittings that you will need, that is from; unions, reducers, elbows and cross tees among others.
• You also must have plumb safe solder, flux and steel wool as a torch, pipe cleaner and for cleaning the ends of the fittings and pipes respectively.

Copper repiping process involves cleaning of the parts to bright coppery shine, when fusing the copper fittings. To the pipe and the fitting add some flux then heat fitting up. When you touch the fusion of the pipe that is close to the fitting in question, if it sucks into the fitting or melts then it’s hot enough.

If you have a repiping problem, our repiping Guide is all that you need to get the information that will solve your problem. With our Repiping Guide you will be able to get information, tricks, tutorial and tips necessary for copper repiping job.

Age is not always the issue when it comes to plumbing. Buildings that suffer from leaks or other pipe problems are usually because of the age of the piping system or due to defective products. What most people are not aware of is that even new buildings, the new condominiums or apartment can also suffer from leaks, poor water pressure and drain back-ups.

If a new community happens to be experiencing sudden leaks, it could be due to defective materials, products were unfittingly installed or because of improper engineering of the piping system.  We see on the supply side of a buildings having an improper water pressure, on the waste side we will have; slow drains and back-ups.

Another problem is when two different types of pipes; for instance copper and galvanized steel are joined together without a dielectric union between them. This will lead to acceleration in corrosion and untimely failure of the pipes; as the two metals react with each other. Therefore, it is clear that it’s not only age of the pipes that will cause you to have problems with your pipes.

How to Avoid this Pipe Problems

As an owner how can you avoid problems with your piping system? You can do this by investing in a licensed, experienced and a qualified professional to handle your piping system. Have a professional scale your project and design a piping system for you, doing this is a smart way that will prevent you from having costly mistakes.

Hence, it is essential for you to Plan ahead, invest up-front on the appropriate piping system design. This will end up saving you a lot of headaches in the long run.  You do not have to have an old building for you to have piping problems like leaks, breaks, low water pressure among others.

Polybutylene also known as poly or poly-b is a gray plastic resin, which was used between the years of 1978 to 1995. They were used in the manufacture of fittings and pipes for installation in the low-rise apartments, single-family homes or condominiums. When it comes to poly, the longer it’s in use the greater the risk of disastrous failure.

Due to the apparent product defects which lead to pipe failures, manufacturers were to pay out a billion dollar settlement in 1995. During this period though, only a small number of properties had repiping done in the settlement period; which concluded a long time ago. Therefore, there are still a lot of buildings, which up to date they still face the problem of a failing poly piping.

In case your property was built during 1978 to 1995, then most probably your pipes are polybutylene. Consequently it’s a guarantee that your property would be facing an aging piping system; plus a defective product, this guarantees you potential disasters.

The primary problem with poly is stress fractures; plus cracking of the pipes, which is as a result of common water additives such as chlorine.

Effects of Disastrous Leaks and Flooding Caused By Cracks and Fractures

• Mold infestation
• Property damage
• Cancelled coverage
• Overall higher expenses
• Higher insurance premiums and
• Residents upset.

Properties with poly piping get a negative impact from both sides, that is for the buyers and the seller side. This is because, for the buyers there is an inability for one to secure insurance or financing. On the sellers’ side there is a decrease valuation and an increase in risk.

Therefore, majority of the lenders require; properties with poly pipes to replace the poly piping. This is a condition to refinance a property transaction, or to buy or sell a property.

Things to Consider in Checking If You’re Property is at Risk

1. Consider the age of your property, for properties that are 23 to 40 years old, have a higher chance of having poly piping system which puts you at a risk.
2. Check for polybutylene pipes. They are gray in color and are usually near water heaters, toilets or sinks. In case you do not see them, this does not mean that they are not in your piping system. As they could be used in conjunction with copper pipe; that are behind ceilings, foundations and walls.

Do not wait for the threat to become reality, make an appointment with a professional to come and repipe your piping.

Leaking pipes can lead to chaos to high-rise communities and other people living there. When it comes to leaking pipes be sure of property loss, water damage and an increase in the insurance premiums. There is a significant fail in the piping system as a nation’s infrastructure continues to age.

Most piping systems have an average life-span of 30 to 50 years. Due to poor water quality in many areas, the piping system requires repiping in 10 to 12 years after construction. When replacing pipes in apartment buildings, there are things to consider in order ensuring that here is minimal disruption to the residents.

Logistics to consider when repiping in high-rise communities

Exceptional logistics to consider when replacing pipes in high-rise communities and to maximize the job efficiency includes;

1. Minimize the shut downs to vertical stacks, through either replacement or isolation valve installation.
2. Navigating the complex wall designs, they include; plaster on wire mesh, fire rated shaft assemblies, concrete blocks, single and multi-layer drywall among others.
3. Addressing the structural plus seismic bracing equipment, this is unique to taller buildings.
4. Planning and scheduling for elevator use, plus being able to use the limited space in an elevator to move screws and materials.
5. Strategically planning how to access the pipe, removal and setting mirrors, vanities, lights and tiles.
6. Joining of high-rise specific engineering requirements which include; express chillers, expansion joints and loops, boilers and chillers among others.
7. Managing of the vertical nature of pipe connections from one floor to another, in other cases core drilling may be required; in order to allow vertical penetration and the installation of the new firestopping.

The above mentioned factors can make replacing your leaking pipes intimidating. This being so, there are experts with years of experience. Who are able to do a perfect job when it comes to pipe replacement in the high-rise communities; therefore, ensuring the best outcome for the community and its residence.

When you experience a problem in your systemic piping, there are two options you can consider in order to fix the problem. This includes pipe replacement or epoxy piping, which is the coating of your pipes inside. Epoxy lining of pipes is a term for the different variety of plastic resins which is used in cold or hot water supply pipes, HVAC  heating and cooling piping, sprinkler lines and on particular waste, drain and vent piping systems.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), authorizes the use of some epoxy linings in carrying potable drinking water. They are accredited as a structural improvement on the existing systems. Manufactures and the installers, insist that the epoxy is not only a safe alternative when it comes to pipe replacement, but it is also economical. Epoxy pipe lining has numerous risks such as; application limitation, health and safety concerns, installation concerns plus warranty issues.

The major risk with epoxy is delamination of the resin. This is when corrosion occurs and develops between the pipe and its liner, the liner is then detached. The delamination process occurs very fast in the event; pipe cleaning before application is not done properly or the line application is very thin and has holes.

Effects of Delamination

1. Delamination leads to a persistence in corrosion, resulting to leaks and system failure.
2. The risk of blockage is higher because of the fragments which are trapped in the pipe, inhibiting water flow.
3. Flaking off of the epoxy and entering drinking water’s supply.
4. Paying twice the price for repiping your pipes. This happens, when you choose to line your pipes instead of repiping them. When delamination will occur you will have additional costs.

Epoxy can be an alternative to pipe repipe according to most manufactures and installers. Yet there are a considerable good number of risks when it comes to pipe lining; that are not there pipe replacement. Not to forgot when you compare their prices they are typically similar, although most buyers think not

Q1. Can there still be some old pipes (galvanized pipes) present, even after replacing them with copper pipes by a plumber?

A1. Check the places said to still have the galvanized pipes. This is because; there can still be some galvanized pipes present in your home even after repiping them. Most plumbers while doing re-piping only replace the horizontal pipes which are beneath the building. They tend to leave vertical pipe which are inside the wall.

Partial pipe replacement is usually done in order to reduce the cost to be incurred. Pipes that are beneath a house are exposed making them easily accessible. Whereas pipes that are inside the walls are very difficult to access. Hence, re-piping them entails a lot of cosmetic repair and surgery work to get to them.

Replacing of all your piping system is the best option, as the old pipes will eventually corrode with time. Although any of the galvanized pipes left are still functional. When you have old steel which are rusted, you will notice a restriction in the flow of your water. This is noticeable especially in instances where more than one fixture is being used.

Ask your home inspector if installation of dielectric unions is in place; where copper pipes join to the old galvanized pipes. This is because direct contact of the dissimilar metals leads to an accelerated corrosion.

Q2. Why is my brick lining becoming loose inside the fireplace, the mortar crumbling yet the house is only 12 years old?

A2. The mortar of your house will crumble, as this is not dependent on the age of your house. Your mortar decomposes due to the following reasons:

1. The mortar could have been inappropriately formulated in the time the bricks were installed. For instance using unclean sand or water.
2. Absence of a cap on the chimney at its top. This effect is seen as the chimney‘s coating of black residue the creosote mixes with rain water to form a mild acid. This solution seeps into the masonry lining and neutralizes the alkalinity, which binds the mortar leading to the mortar weakening and eventually disintegrating.

The chimney cap prevents the rainwater from getting into the chimney; thus preventing the degenerative process. It is important to have your chimney inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

When it comes to your plumbing systems, the pipes are put in place to last but not forever. The plumbing system of older homes tends to wear down, leak, congest with mineral deposits or break. This is more common in houses where galvanized steel is used for plumbing.

Repiping of a house should only be done by a qualified professional. This is whether or not you are repiping your entire piping system. You can trust Super Mario Repipe to do an excellent job; to making your home look as good as new. We ensure that the job gets done as fast as possible, interfering with your daily routine for a short period of time.

How We Handle Repiping

Plumbing usually involves; tearing of your floorboards and drywall, which means turning your beautiful home into a demolition zone.  When it comes to our plumbers, you do not need to worry about this. Our plumbers will get the job done, without having to interfere a lot with the intrusive work of your building material.

Repiping your home usually takes 3 to 5 days; this is dependent on the job to be done.  Throughout this time, our plumbers will ensure that your water service continues to work. In case you spend most of your time at work, you may not notice any service interruption with your water.

Plumbers are to cover your furniture in order to protect them from dust or water damage during repiping. Using small cuts into the drywall, locate the pipes. The plumbers will remove as much of the building material as required in order to reach, detach, remove and replace the pipe with either copper or PEX piping.

For pipes in the floor, plumbers are to go through the ceiling that is below it. You can arrange with the plumber to have additional pipes if you want to. When the repiping is done, the plumber ought to restore the surgical cuts, by patching and retexturing them; leaving no signs of a repipe.

If you are in an older home, that has been experiencing a lot of plumbing problems like; leaking or low water pressure contact us at Super Mario Repipe for a repiping job.

No one wants a drainage problems inside their home. And certainly, no homeowner wants to discover this particular type of problem when it has already gone too far, the usual (and more affordable) plumbing solutions won’t fix it, and the only option is to have the whole system removed and replaced.

If you don’t want to be blindsided by costly and time-consuming drainage problems in your home, below are some signs you have to be on the lookout for to immediately detect these kinds of issues:

The presence of water stains in the basement.

The location of the stain in your basement will indicate the gravity of a drainage problem. Generally, these stains can be caused by surface water, which can be easy to deal with, or water traveling underground – a potentially bigger and more expensive issue.

If you see stains high on your foundation wall, this usually means that the water is coming from an overflowing gutter or that surface runoff backed up against your house because the soil around your foundation doesn’t slope sufficiently. If the stain extends in a line around the basement, you may be looking at a high-water mark caused by a fluctuating water table. Or your basement floor lies below the level of municipal storm drains that backed up during heavy rains.

Cracking and deposits on the walls.

White or gray crusts on the basement walls are called efflorescence or the mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water. If you see flaking on the wall in big patches, this is a condition called spalling.

The efflorescence signifies an area where moisture is condensing. This doesn’t usually cause structural problems but you should still consider checking out your gutters, downspouts, and the grading of the soils around your foundation. Also, since they are unappealing, scrape off the crust. In case of spalling, this commonly happens because water is getting inside the masonry. Although spalling can be just superficial, if it’s deeper than ½-inch and widespread, it can be a sign of improper drainage that can threaten the integrity of your home’s foundation.

Cracks found in the foundation.

Lastly, always be on the lookout for cracks larger than 1/8-inch wide. And if you notice these cracks are growing, you’ve got potential problems.

Usually, a crack appears in places where the builders finished installing one load of concrete and began pouring the next. However, these cracks usually don’t penetrate all the way through. In case they do, as long as they foundations are still stable. You can patch them with hydraulic cement or polyurethane caulk. But if the cracks continue to widen, this typically indicates that a drainage problem may be ruining the foundation. In such situations, you have to call a structural engineer to diagnose the problem, assess the risk, and recommend the most suitable repair solution. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9585528

Residential plumbing problems are a common thing for home owners. It is important to deal with these problems as soon as possible. These problems include; dripping faucets, leaking pipes and plugged sinks or toilets. Ensure that you turn off your water valve for water spraying everywhere will result into a big mess. We will look at these problems in detail.

Dripping faucets

Faucets that drip water need to be immediately attended to, for it is just a matter of time before water starts to actually run from the pipes. In case it’s your hot water faucet, you will have an added expense to your utility bill for energy is used to heat water. Yet you have not included the cost of fixing the pipe.

A dripping faucet is as a result of a worn out washer.  Water gets through the edges of the washer that is worn out, leading to drips and leaks. Replacing the worn out washer will do the trick.

There are many types of washers for your sink available. Therefore, if you have not replaced this washer before, remove the old one and take it to the plumbing store. As a result you will be able to get the right washer. There are different types of washers these include;

• Cartridge
• Modular
• Ball springs or a
• Combination of washer/ seat/stem washer.

Plugged sinks or toilets

A plunger is one of the must have equipment for your bathroom. This is because; overflows from your toilet can damage your floor. Plunging the toilet can unclog it, but in cases where your toilet is still clog contact a plumber in order to fix the problem.

Clumps of hair build up tend to clog your sink and shower drains. Therefore, it is necessary to occasionally remove the hair build up. You can also use little nets that are like stopper to catch the hair.

Leaking pipes

Leaks from your faucets usually occur from your faucet’s handle base. Hence, you will need to replace the metal nuts or rubber O-ring. Leaks can also occur in the pipes, if it’s at the joints, tightening the pipes may help. If the leaking persists, get yourself sealant to fix the problem.

When moving into a new house, we rarely think of the existing plumbing system as long as it’s working. Many people do not realize that as the house ages so is its plumbing system, which will result into serious potential problems in future. This can be avoided by simply replacing copper and galvanized steel pipes. The following is a list of problems that can be caused by these pipes plus the benefits of replacing them on time.

Types of Plumbing Lines

Homes have two types of plumbing lines; these are drain lines and water lines. Drain lines tend to cause problems in future, while water lines are less problematic; although they will have their own problems with time. It’s important to understand the problem behind galvanized steel and copper pipes before replacing them.

Most homes today use copper piping for water lines because; they do not corrode as fast as galvanized steel, iron or steel. Unfortunately older homes are constructed using galvanized pipes or iron. Therefore, they should be replaced as soon as possible with copper piping.

You will start to notice your drain clogs easily and are not easy to unclog when they clog. This is because iron and steel corrodes very easily. They build-up mineral residue and will eventually start to break down. When you lose pressure from water coming out of your faucets, plus the water tasting odd you will know your pipes are affected.

The Damage Age Can Cause

For some home owners, having a constant clog and loss of water pressure is not enough to make them replace their piping system. For they render it an unnecessary expense as long as it is not broken. Low pressure can also be experienced in drought conditions but the effects are temporary.

With time the signs of aging galvanized and iron pipes will progressively grow worse if not attended to. Therefore, you will start to find damp spots on the concrete floors, on drywalls of your home especially if they are wooden.

Water from the pipes will continue to darken in color; for there is continued build-up of the minerals plus the metal continues to corrode. This will result to foul smelling water that is hard to consume.  As corrosion continues your pipes will begin to leak, break and eventually burst. Hence, the cost of repiping will be more costly that it would have been previously.

Repairing the corroded piping with copper is an easier solution plus it will restore your plumbing system. A qualified plumbing contractor, is able to inform you of how much it will cost you to correct any issue with your plumbing system. Copper has a longer lifespan compared to iron which is thirty years and steel which is forty years. This is the reason why it is preferred.

Benefits of Replacing Copper And Galvanized Steel Piping

1. Leads to restoration of your water pressure
2. A reduction of your monthly water bill as there is no leaking water to increase your bill.
3. Less clogging of your draining pipes.
4. Better tasting water

As a home owner replace your plumbing with copper piping. For in the long run it pays for itself by saving you a lot of money you might use to repair a broken or leaking pipe.