Choosing The Right Water Piping Materials For Your Home

Leone Plumbing Water Piping SolutionWater piping connections are the most vulnerable part of the plumbing system. That is why you must pick the right piping materials for your home. There are many options to choose from and choosing the right pipe can be confusing. Today, let us look at the different types of pipes to find out what is best for your home plumbing system.

Different Types of Pipes For Your Residential Plumbing System

PVC Pipes
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride pipes are mostly used for sinks, toilet drains, or waste lines. This type of water piping material is lightweight and more convenient to work with than traditional galvanized steel pipe. However, using PVC pipes is not permitted everywhere. It is better to review your local regulations before installing PVCs.
PEX Pipes
PEX pipes are best used for water supply lines. This plastic piping material is known to withstand the high pressures of your water supply. Professional plumbers are drawn in using PEX pipes since they are flexible to weave through walls, ceilings, basements, and crawl spaces. Like PVC pipes though, they are not permitted everywhere and you have to check your local regulations before installing PEX pipes.
ABS Pipes
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) pipes should not be confused with PVC pipes. They are much alike except that the ABS pipe is black and much softer. It is mostly used for drain and vent lines. This pipe is easy to install, durable, and cost-effective. The only downside is it can easily warp when exposed to direct sunlight.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes are best used for residential water supply lines. This water piping material is durable and safer to use than other pipe materials like plastics that leach chemicals. Though it’s costly, it is fairly durable for your residential plumbing.
Galvanized Steel Pipes and Cast Iron
Cast iron pipe and galvanized steel pipe are mostly found in older homes. These types of water piping materials are best used for water supply lines, drains, and vent lines. They are known to be very durable and can last for a long time until such time it rusts. These pipes are heavyweight and are difficult to cut through. To this day, they are mostly used in commercial buildings. Water Piping Materials By Leone Plumbing

How Do I Know If I Pick the Right Pipe?

Deciding on the right pipe for your residential plumbing has many factors to consider. First, you need to know the function that the pipe has to perform and also the area where it will be installed. You also have to look at your budget. The cost of the material may affect your decision. In addition, you have to check your local building codes to ensure that the type of pipe you choose is permitted. If you come to a point where you don’t know which options to choose, you can speak to a professional plumber or contractor. Contact us right now and our team of experts can help you decide!  
Read More

The Pros and Cons of Installing a Sharkbite Fitting on Pipes

  Leone Plumbing's take about installing a sharkbite fittingSharkbite fittings have been a revolutionary innovation when it comes to plumbing repairs. Installing a sharkbite fitting is simple to use and convenient. In minutes, you can easily connect or fix leaks without soldering and replacing the pipes. However, if you ask professional plumbers, soldering pipes is still better. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of installing a sharkbite fitting to determine which is best for you.

Sharkbite Fittings vs Soldering Pipes

A sharkbite fitting may become loose over time if not properly installed. There has been cases where homeowners call because their home is flooded due to a sharkbite fitting popped off. From a professional standpoint, we strongly recommend soldering pipes since it is a proven effective option. Push-fit fittings (like sharkbite fitting) don’t have the credibility that soldering has. Soldering pipes have been around for a long time before the trend of using push-fit fittings. Some people believe installing a sharkbite fitting is much more convenient than soldering. In this case, whether you solder the pipes or use a sharkbite fitting, there are factors that you need to look at such as:
Your skill and level of experience
Soldering a pipe requires a level of skill and experience like a professional. A professional plumber have mastered the skill of soldering pipes over the years. You may do soldering yourself by purchasing the required tools, but it may lead to a low-quality output which can worsen the problem. For a non-professional, it’s the right choice to use a sharkbite fitting since it is easy to install.
Place of the repair
Installing a sharkbite fitting would be effective in easily accessible places like below the sink or on a water heater connection. Soldering is recommended for hard-to-reach places like underground or behind walls since these places are unnoticeable and we have to ensure that the pipe connections are secured. Push-fit fittings are not recommended in hard-to-reach places since their failure rate is high. Fixing pipes underground or behind walls can be challenging and you should never resort to DIY fixing.
Your budget
Installing a sharkbite fitting is indeed a quick fix and much more convenient. However, convenience always comes at a cost. For a standard half-inch pipe, it may cost you $8.00 to $10.00 per fitting. For a basic copper fitting, it can cost up to $5.00 for the same size. If there are several fittings to replace, the cost difference may add up quickly. Soldering pipes on the other hand may cost less than installing sharbite fitting and it’s a long-term solution.

Choose An Option That Fits Your Needs

Installing a sharkbite fitting is a convenient and quick-fix solution. But if you opt for a long-term solution, soldering is the best option due to its credibility and result. Copper pipes may last 50 to 70 years as long as it is installed properly and well-maintained. If you are unsure about your decision, you can contact us and we are here to help you!
Read More

All You Need To Know About Replacing Polybutylene Pipes

Polybutylene Pipes Replacement Services By Leone PlumbingWhen it comes to house renovation, one important aspect that a homeowner has to look into is the plumbing system. In the process of renovation, you may uncover plumbing issues that have to be dealt with such as obsolete pipes. Homes that are built before 1995 may have used polybutylene pipes that are outdated and have to be replaced.

Why Does It Matter To Replace Polybutylene Pipes?

If your home is built back in the mid-70s to mid-90s, you may have polybutylene piping underground. It really matters to replace polybutylene pipes due to the high risk of bursts or leaking with this type of piping. There is even a history of lawsuits filed to stop the usage of polybutylene piping due to the damages it caused. It could be a long-term problem if this type of pipe isn’t replaced. Leaking old pipes allows water to pool up inside ceilings and walls which can be a breeding ground for molds. Aside from the health hazard due to molds, leaking pipes can also increase your water bill!

How Can You Tell If Your Home Has Polybutylene Pipes?

Polybutylene pipes are known for their blue color trademark. However, they are also available in colors black and gray. But the surest identifier of polybutylene piping is a stamp that says “PB2110”. Another way that you can find polybutylene pipes is in places where they are commonly located. They are installed as water supply lines only and you can’t find them as vent pipes or drain. These are the places in your home where you can find them. Leone Plumbing Polybutylene Pipes Replacement Services
  • At your main shutoff valve
  • Connected to your water heater
  • Attached to sinks and toilets
  • At the ceiling of your basement where pipes are exposed
 

Why Do You Need To Replace Polybutylene Pipes?

Polybutylene (Poly B) piping is known as a cheap and easy solution. However, it was later found out that polybutylene piping could not withstand harsh disinfectants in the public water supply such as chlorine. Over time, polybutylene pipes may corrode and crack which will cause leaks. Leaks caused by leaking Poly B pipes are difficult to detect immediately (since it’s underneath) until you experience the damages it brings. Since Poly B pipes have a high risk to burst or leak, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends that homes with Poly B piping get their plumbing system replaced.

Replacements for Poly B Pipes

The suitable replacements for Poly B pipes are copper pipe, PEX tubing, and PVC pipe. There are factors and considerations as well as which ones to pick. It would be best if you speak with an expert to help you assess your old pipes and what would be your best option. Contact us today so our experts can help you! We have options to offer that are easy on your budget and we even have financing options available for you.    
Read More

How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?

How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?

Sewer lines are not something that most people think about, until the time something goes wrong. When that happens, you can have a real mess on your hands. Some of the early signs of sewer line problems include gurgling noises coming from the toilet, water that drains slower than normal, or a smelly sinkhole that suddenly appears in your yard. If you begin to smell sewage, notice that patches of your yard are always wet regardless of the weather, or if you see a wet sinkhole in yard, then you probably need to have your sewer line replaced. Clogged Sewer Line RepairAt some point all sewer lines need to be repaired or replaced, particularly in homes built during the 1970’s or earlier. The fact is, the older your pipes are, the more likely it is that you will have trouble with them. Sewer pipes in older homes are usually made of clay tiles that can crack or break apart, allowing tree roots to infiltrate the pipe and create clogs. Problems can also result from pipe sections that have settled or collapsed.  When properly installed, PVC pipes that are used today should have a lifespan of over 100 years. Sometimes homeowners wonder if they can simply patch their existing pipes instead of opting for replacing them. If the sewer line is old then there will most likely be other bad spots that will give you problems in the near future. The cost of a series of patch jobs can add up quickly and in the long run it makes more sense to replace the entire line. That way you can save money over time and have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your sewer line will remain in good repair for years to come. If you want to check out the condition of your sewer line before you have a crisis on your hands, you can pay to have a camera run through the line to check it out. That way you will know if you have any impending problems. Tree roots cause some of the most common problems that lead people to have to replace their sewer lines. Since they love the constant source of moisture, tree roots will often invade broken sewer pipes and then continue to grow until they completely clog the broken sewer lines. Even though copper sulfate can repel roots as a temporary fix, it can also damage, or even kill, the tree. If the copper sulfate does not work, then you still have the underlying problem of growing roots waiting to invade your sewer lines. Sewer pipes can also become clogged from an accumulation of muck, grease, and other material that gets washed down your drains day after day. Sometimes sewer lines will collapse, break, or simply rot away. Tree roots can do a lot to exacerbate this process. Running a snake through your pipes to clear out the tree roots can do even more damage to your sewer line.

Here are some tips to help keep your sewer line in good shape:

  • Find out where your sewer line is located. This can help you make decisions about landscaping and parking.
  • Don’t plant trees or shrubs near your sewer line because the roots will eventually seek out the moisture in the line.
  • Don’t park a vehicle directly over your sewer line because the weight and pressure of the vehicle could weaken the pipe below and eventually crush it.
  • Don’t flush anything down the toilet that is not toilet paper or human waste.  Use the trash can instead of the toilet for disposing of any other items in your bathroom.
  • Never pour grease down a drain because it can clog pipes. Pour it into a can to let it cool and then dispose of it in the trash.
Most often the responsibility to pay for sewer line repair or replacement falls on homeowners and it can be costly. However, replacing or repairing sewer lines is definitely not a do-it-yourself home repair. Not only is it very labor intensive, but if you don’t know really what you are doing you can do some serious damage. Don’t trust your home’s sewer line to just anyone. Hire a plumbing company you can depend on to get the job done right. At Leone Plumbing and Heating we have made it our mission to provide excellent service that leads to the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
Read More