Old houses in Alice, Texas, are charming, but they come with unique sets of problems that new constructions don’t have. One of those issues is plumbing. Old houses often have certain types of plumbing constructed from metals like galvanized steel, that we no longer use when installing a plumbing system.

Galvanized Steel

Between the 1930s and the 1980s, most contractors and plumbers built homes with galvanized steel pipes. Later, professionals discovered that galvanized steel rusted and corroded relatively easily. This corrosion resulted in blockages quite easily. They also release lead into the water, leading to water discoloration and potential illness. Old houses usually have at least some galvanized steel pipes left, because replacing an entire piping system is expensive.

Copper

If your house is from the 1960s, there’s a chance you have copper pipes. Copper pipes are one of the best types of pipes you can have. The only concern with existing copper is the potential for lead in older pipes. Installing copper pipes is quite expensive, which is why many homeowners go with another material, like PVC, when replacing pipes.

PVC

You find PVC in older houses that have had plumbing lines replaced. Many people choose to replace galvanized steel or cast-iron pipes with PVC because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install. PVC doesn’t rust or corrode like most metal pipes do, and it handles high-pressure water very well. However, you can’t run hot water through PVC pipes, or they might warp. You’ll need copper or CPVC for hot water lines.

The age of your house alone won’t always provide clues to possible problems with your plumbing. Here at Bodine-Scott, we know the ins and outs of plumbing systems. Give us a call at (361) 883-9900, so we can evaluate your system and make reliable recommendations. Even if everything looks great now, we can give you a list of things to look out for and perform maintenance techniques that will make your system last longer.

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