When older pipes need to be replaced and walls need to be opened, repiping can get a little messy. A kitchen or bathroom remodel is the perfect time to replace old pipes, Gustafson said, because they can be sealed off and left in the wall. He noted that, depending on the replacement pipes and what must be done to install them in the walls, homeowners can expect to spend at least a couple thousand dollars to replace the plumbing during a renovation.

The whole idea with upgrading the plumbing is to protect the home, especially if it’s an old bathroom that you want to have redone, retiled and have new fixtures put in, but if you have old pipes, you may have to have to open the walls up again, to address an issue that develops in a year or two.

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A stainless-steel ball that allows water to pass through it when it’s in one position, but if it’s turned in the other position, it prevents water from passing. Theey are much better than shut-off and gate valves, which depend on washers or a gate to drop down in front of the water.

You can have quarter-turn ball valves retrofitted into your home by Alpharetta Plumber. Be sure to replace the valves on your water meter, which is where you can completely shut off the water coming into your home. They should be changed sooner rather than later. If those valves are loose and still letting water through, you won’t be able to shut off the water into your home in the case of an emergency. You may not have a problem with them until you try to turn off the water and they break or malfunction.

Plumbing Preventive Maintenance

Staying on top of aging valves and pipes is one way to avoid expensive plumbing emergency repairs later on. Call Alpharetta Plumber now to do some preventative maintenance.

You can spend a couple hundred dollars and change out four to six valves in your home – that includes labor and parts (an average ball valve is about $8). Imagine the amount of damage you’ve prevented if those valves aren’t allowed to break and flood your basement.

A ball valve can last 10-30 years, which is a wide range, depending on how frequently it’s used.

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You may prefer not to think about it, but the reality is, an older home comes with “old” plumbing. As long as you aren’t seeing leaks anywhere, you may feel secure that those original valves and galvanized (zinc-coated) or brass pipes are holding up well for their age.

Copper pipes in an older home hold up better than galvanized or brass, but may still be more prone to trouble than modern PEX pipes. It may be only a matter of time, though, before signs start to emerge of issues bubbling beneath the surface. And while Alpharetta Plumber experts don’t recommend messing with fixtures that are still intact, they do urge homeowners to inspect pipes for holes and to create a budget so that, in the case of an emergency, funds will be available to deal effectively with any problems.

Galvanized and Brass Pipes

Galvanized and brass pipes were commonly found in homes prior to World War I. They were the inexpensive choice, while brass would have been an upgrade.

“Eventually, copper pipes were used, and now we don’t even use copper – we use PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing,” he said.

Alpharetta Plumber specializes in older houses. Problems that owners of such homes might notice with their pipes include:

• Dwindling water pressure, caused by mineral buildup in the galvanized pipes

• Sediment at the bottom of the bathtub or shower after running the water

• Sagging or leaking pipes, if there’s a “hanging” sewer line in the basement.

Alpharetta Plumber has removed galvanized pipe that almost completely sealed on the inside.

The mineral deposits buildup of inside these galvinized pipes. This doesn’t seem to it happen to copper pipes, and very seldom does it happen to brass, but it almost always happens to galvanized pipes.

The main problem with the galvanized type is that they rot away from the inside. Homeowners may notice “miniature stalactites” hanging off the pipes, which means minerals and droplets of water are leaking through tiny holes. This is a definite sign that the pipe needs to be replaced.

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A recent national survey finds that less than 50 percent of homeowners surveyed know that they are responsible for repairs to the water line on their property. Further, the report goes on to state that one-third of all homeowners responding actually assume that their local utility is responsible for the cost of a burst water line between their house and the street, when this is usually not the case.

One of the challenges of home ownership is that the potential for expensive repairs is always out there. The fact that homeowners don’t know about their responsibilities in these situations serves to make unexpected and expensive repairs harder to handle.

Emergencies do happen and unfortunately, there’s very little someone can do to prevent them. But homeowners can be prepared with a service repair plan that helps cover the cost of expensive water service line repairs.

Typically the homeowner is responsible for the water service line from the curb or well casing all the way to the home, connecting to the water heater, sinks, showers and more. Temperature changes, shifting soil or the age of the line can all cause the line to become damaged. Many times this results in a loss of water pressure or a loss of water altogether. In other instances, the effects will not be noticed until there is a spike in the water bill due to an underground leak. Repairing a water service line can cost more than $2,000.

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Alpharetta Plumber

Plumbing issues always appear when least expected or needed. They must be dealt with quickly. While dialing the the number of a reputable Alpharetta plumber can get the leaking pipe repaired fast, it comes at a high monetary cost. So when your toilet wont flush or your water line leaks, you can make some repairs yourself with one of these simple suggestions.

Before making plumbing repairs, it is a good idea to get acquainted with repairs that don’t always require a contractor. Leaking faucets, toilet repairs, blocked up drains, etc. problems will happen in time.

Clogged drains and a hand snake can take care of most hair and grease clogs. The majority of drain cleansers could damage the water pipes, so be careful and read the instructions and follow them to the letter. Use a hand snake and plunger to clear out the causing the water to back up.

Faucet repair is a DIY project. Check if the washers are old or worn-out. Replacing these cheap parts quickly resolves the problem.Another way to fix the problem is simply replace the entire faucet. They are cheap and can update the look of your bathroom.

Is your toilet continuously running? Shake the handle to release the chain. The flap will close and stop water. Should that not work, then lift the tank lid and check the rubber flapper. It’s probably real old. Replace it with one from Home Depot or Lowes.

Water heater sewer repair are just too complicated and you should call professional plumbers from R.S. Andrews. R.S. Andrews is an A plus rated contractor with the BBB. Call 770-882-2760 anytime, 24/7, for emergency plumber services.