If your home was built before the late 1980s, there’s a good chance its plumbing pipes are made of cast iron and therefore extremely vulnerable to rusting and corrosion. Although cast iron has been used to construct sewer lines for decades, the material is highly susceptible to deterioration.
Most cast iron pipe systems start to deteriorate 30 to 50 years after installation. After all, it’s only natural—as metallic surfaces come into contact with moisture, rusting and corrosion begin to set in. After the passage of time and heavy use, the pipe will weaken and eventually need tobe replaced.
Rust: Interior, exterior—it doesn’t matter. If any part of a cast iron pipe comes into direct and continual contact with wastewater, it will begin to rust. Rusted pipes have a two-fold effect on your plumbing system. First, the build up of rust on the pipe interior constricts the diameter to the point it decreases water pressure and volume. Secondly, the rust creates a rough, uneven surface that slows down the pace at which wastewater can flow through the pipe.
Corrosion: When it comes to pipes, the threat of corrosion is even worse than rust. Over time, waste water flow will gradually carve a channel at the bottom of the pipe that, if left untreated, will eat through the pipe and allow foreign objects to enter the line. At the same time, waste water will begin the pipe resulting in erosion and eventual ‘bellies’ in the line that could lead to catastrophic collapse.
Both of these issues are common causes of water line replacement. The best way to learn if one is afflicting your pipes is by calling Jones Services for more information. Our operators are standing by!
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