What are my pipes made of
Here are the most common pipe types found in the home:
Lead Pipes: Lead pipes are commonly found in homes that are built before 1930. These types of pipes are not encouraged because they can contaminate a home’s drinking water. It is recommended to have your water tested for lead if you have lead pipes. If the water shows high levels, you can take steps to lessen the lead, such as installing a water filtration system.
Galvanized Steel Pipes: These pipes are coated with zinc steel. They are thick and quite heavy, with a silver color on the outside. Commonly found in homes constructed between the early 1930s and the late 1980s, these pipes are often buried and used as supply lines 1, as the steel is only somewhat affected by the corrosion and rust of underground wear and can last about 40 years. If your galvanized steel pipes need replacing, we recommend copper, or more often, PEX and HDPE pipe in home plumbing 2. These pipes can become corroded with lead, so it is crucial to have your water tested. Call to schedule an appointment with an expert from Yes! to ensure your water is the best quality.
PVC Pipe: PVC pipes, otherwise known as Polyvinyl Chloride, can be found in the homes built in the 1950s to present day. These pipes are made of hard, white plastic. They have markings down the length of the pipe. The biggest advantage to these pipes is that they don’t rust or degrade over time because of the sturdy material.
Copper Pipes: Copper pipes are the most common pipes found in homes built from the 1960s to present day, although they made their debut in homes as early as the 1930s. This type of pipe is thin walled and appears smaller than most pipes. Oxidation tends to change these pipes from their shiny copper appearance to a more brown or green color. Copper has a reputation of durability and high heat tolerance, ensuring that it will last a very long time.
PEX Pipes: In many of the newer homes in Las Vegas, PEX piping systems are being used. According to www.pexinfo.com, these pipes are made from cross-linked HDPE (high-density polyethylene) polymer. The HDPE is melted and continuously extruded into tube’s.
