When To Upgrade Your Plumbing System
If you have been using the same plumbing system for a long time, then there may come a time when an upgrade is necessary. Below are some of the reasons you may want to upgrade your plumbing system.
Remove Dangerous Materials
If your house is old and it still has its original plumbing system, then there is a small chance that some of the materials might be dangerous. Materials such as lead, polybutylene, and asbestos were commonly used in old plumbing systems before their dangerous nature was discovered and they were banned. If your house is old, however, it might still have some of these dangerous materials, which should be removed the moment you make their discovery.
Get Rid Of Aging Systems
Plumbing systems, including plumbing materials, have finite lifetimes. For example, galvanized steel lasts for 20 to 50 years, after which it begins to deteriorate. Therefore, you should upgrade your plumbing system when most of your pipes approach the end of their lifetimes. That would be a preemptive measure to keep plumbing problems at bay.
Install Modern Systems
You may also want to upgrade your plumbing system to take advantage of modern or more advanced systems. For example, you may want to upgrade your toilet to a low flush one, install an efficient showerhead, or install smart plumbing systems. Moreover, most of these modern systems tend to be more efficient than traditional plumbing systems.
Increase Plumbing System Capacity
If your household is expanding, then you may want to increase your plumbing system's capacity. This is necessary if you have added some bedrooms to your house, finished the basement, or acquired more household members. In such a case, your current water heater might not provide adequate hot water for your household. The number of toilets in your house may not be enough for your household.
Prevent Frequent Breakdowns
Lastly, you may also want to upgrade your plumbing system if it is frequently breaking down. Frequent breakdowns may be a result of aging, under-sizing, or hidden damages. If you have been spending a lot of money on plumbing repairs, then an upgrade may even be cheaper in the long run.
A plumbing upgrade is a serious project that is best handled by a skilled person. You need help to select the right materials, decide on the necessary upgrades, and execute the project within a reasonable time. Consult a local plumbing contractor to help you design and execute the upgrade.