Pipe Repair & Replacement Services in Caldwell, ID

What Are Polybutylene Pipes? These are grey in appearance and were traditionally used for potable hot and cold-water supply lines in residential homes.

·      They are constructed from plastic and were manufactured between 1978 and 1995, for home plumbing systems. Polybutylene pipes were installed in up to 10 million homes in the USA, but production ceased mid-1996 after multiple claims were filed due to them rupturing and causing property damage.

·     Since then, these pipes have been recalled and many current insurance policies no longer cover them.

·      Common causes for failure: disinfectants eroding material, fractures that allow leaks, or improper installation.

What Are Your Options? 

If you’re one of these homeowners that happen to still have polybutylene pipes, you will need to weigh the risks of an expensive plumbing failure or paying to have them replaced.

Most Proactive Solution: Replace your polybutylene pipes to eliminate the risk of a pipe bursting. Our master plumbers are ready to help!

Alternative Solution: Make sure your home water shut-off valve is turned OFF before you take a vacation or need to be away from home for more than a day. There is still a risk of flooding, but it can help prevent bursts and leaks that would last a long time while you are gone.

What Are Galvanized Pipes? 

At first sight during installation, these appear to be the color of nickel but upon aging they become duller and occasionally darker.

·      These are steel pipes coated in zinc as a protective layer and common in homes built before 1970.

·      The average lifespan for galvanized piping is 40-50 years but it has been known to fail sooner in many cases.  

·      Common causes for failure: zinc eroding over time, corrosion build-up, and harmful substances such as lead being released into the home water supply from the lead service lines that were used back then.

What Are Your Options? 

Not all galvanized piping has necessarily gone bad, but it really depends on how old it is and whether it was properly installed.

Most Proactive Solution: Replace your galvanized pipes to eliminate the risk of serious property damage and potential hazards to you and your family’s health.

Alternative Solution: Have one of our professional plumbers come inspect your pipes to see how well your pipes are holding up in their estimated lifespan.

What Are Cast Iron Pipes? 

They are easy to recognize with their black finish and hub sections that connect one piece of pipe to another. They are not entirely rust resistant though, so color may shift over time.

·      These have been around for decades and are still being manufactured although they are more commonly installed in older homes. They were considered the “gold standard” back in the day before PVC became the new preference.

·      Common causes for failure: lack of durability, corrosion, sinking and cracking underground due to their weight, repetitive sewer backup and clogged drains.

What Are Your Options? 

Since they are still manufactured, you aren’t urged to necessarily replace them unless you are encountering multiple complications.

Most Proactive Solution: Replace system with a cheaper, more durable option to avoid more expenses in the future. Our professionals will help you pick a solution that is ideal for your home and finances.

Alternative Solution: Repair sections of your pipe that have cracks or corrosion.

What Are PVC Pipes? 

These are white or grey with a gritty texture and technical specifications printed on them.

·      These are polyvinyl chloride pipes. 40 million tons per year get manufactured and used for multiple purposes such as: electrical insulation, medical tubing, flooring, water supply, plumbing, irrigation structures and more.

·      PVC piping has plenty of benefits but specific to plumbing some of the main advantages include durability, 100-year lifespan underground, easy installation and maintenance, safer materials with excellent recyclability.

·      Common causes for failure: defects being missed in manufacturing, high-stress from snap-fit assembly, and loss of strength when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

What Are Your Options? 

Schedule an inspection with one of our master plumbers to make sure they were properly installed and withholding their strength in their environment.

Most Proactive Solution: Repair or replace sections that need it.

Alternative Solution: Schedule annual inspections to keep an eye on any areas of concern.

What Are CPVC Pipes? They appear off-white, light grey, or yellow and have technical specifications printed on them.

·      These are a variant of PVC but withstand higher temperatures.

·      CPVC is commonly used for HVAC systems to transport hot water appropriately. Building codes often mandate this type of piping to meet their safety regulations and final inspections.

·      Common causes for failure: damage during installation, improper storage, and contact with unexpected chemicals that it was not made to withstand.

What Are Your Options? 

If your building codes mandate this type of piping, then options are limited but we are certain we can still help!

Most Proactive Solution: Repair or replace sections that need it.

Alternative Solution: Maintain seasonal maintenance checklists as a preventative measure and to extend the lifeline.

What Are Copper Pipes? Their color can change but start out as a warm reddish-brown. If they appear green or blue-green, that means they have experienced oxidation.

·      These are made of 99.9% copper and used to transfer various liquids in construction for water supply, or refrigerant lines in HVAC systems.

·      Known for being light weight, strong and resistant to corrosion.

·      Common causes for failure: hard water deterioration that can cause pinhole leaks due to low pH, high pH, high levels of dissolved oxygen, salts and bacteria like sulfate.

What Are Your Options? Since copper piping is still in use, you may just need a section replaced or minimal repairs to keep pinhole leaks from expanding.

Most Proactive Solution: Replace faulty piping. Our plumbers can help determine the most reliable and cost-effective solution for your system.

Alternative Solution: Repair problematic areas with soldering techniques.

American Rooter & Drain offers FULL inspections on home plumbing systems to check for leaks, corrosion, pipe fractures, and other potential problems that may need fixed to prevent needing replaced entirely. Our camera inspection helps gage the internal state of pipes, so nothing is missed! Ask about our “ARD Membership Discounts” and seasonal maintenance checkups that we do to help catch the onset of any problems before they grow into something more.