We are fortunate to live in a community rich with beautiful older homes. But what we don’t see behind the walls of many lovely houses are deteriorating cast iron pipes waiting to create a crisis for their unsuspecting owners.
Cast iron drain pipes in use today pose the risk of serious and costly damage including various health problems as well as a home becoming uninhabitable, depreciating in value, or even unsellable. Is your home one of these?
Risks Associated with Cast Iron Drain Pipes
Deteriorating cast iron pipes develop small cracks that eventually grow into holes and bigger breaks that cannot be patched. One of the most troubling issues associated with these breaks is “black water”— a form of dark, dirty water full of backed-up sewage, bacteria, and fungi. If pipes are not working and draining out this wastewater and semi-solid waste, those icky things have nowhere to go except in your home.
Brief History
In the U.S., cast iron pipes in sewer systems date back to the early 19th century. They were used because of their strong material and durability. Fast forward to the 1930s when more homes were being equipped with indoor plumbing. These cast iron pipes outdid other materials due to their reliability, and they faced no competition for many years.
It’s the ‘70s, and PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride plastic) comes on the scene. These plastic pipes have the required strength to be durable for long-term use, and are cheaper and easier to make.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Pipes
You can avoid a troublesome situation by looking out for signs that reveal your cast iron drain pipes are damaged and should be replaced:
- Discoloration: water coming from your faucets is brown or yellow
caused by corrosion or rust. - Leaks: persistent leaks could be due to cracks caused by sulfuric
acid. When hydrogen sulfide gasses oxidize, pipes rust from the
inside out. - Backups/Slow Draining: toilets and sinks are not functioning,
as they should. - Odor: cracked pipes cause sewer gas to escape. This gas has
a foul odor, and is not healthy. - Contaminants and Pests: rodents, roaches, and other critters
get into your house through cracks in the pipes.
Be Proactive to Avoid a Catastrophe
Once considered the gold standard of sewer piping, cast iron drain pipes are coming to the end of their life span. They are failing all over the country, as they were designed to last for about 50 years under ideal situations.
It’s in your best interest to take action to prevent any possible or further structural damage to your house and avoid any risk to your family’s health. Failure to do so will likely result in more headaches down the road
We Help Homeowners
Flader Plumbing and Heating is uniquely suited to assist you in determining the solution that best fits your home and family’s needs. We’ve been serving your neighbors and our community for over 100 years and 4 generations.
The Flader Difference
Only Flader Heating and Air Conditioning delivers:
- The most responsive service. We’re here for you 24-hours/7-days a week.
- Personal attention from certified and licensed technicians.
- The most dependable equipment and parts.
- Money saving maintenance agreements.
- FREE annual filter replacements.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Reliability
Flader Plumbing and Heating recommends equipment, models, and brands proven to have the fewest problems and service calls. We specialize in:
Comprehensive Services
Whether you’re replacing your water heater, furnace or central air conditioning, adding a humidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your air quality system or sump pump, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need.
Our professional technicians arrive on time, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. They will recommend the right solution and deliver as promised. Flader technicians average 15 years of experience and are EPA certified.
Expert service, quality parts, and satisfaction guaranteed. That’s the winning trifecta you deserve. There is no reason to compromise. Call us at 847-491-6980.
