What is the average lifespan of plumbing pipes?

Homeowners in their 60s often start asking questions about their plumbing pipes, and for good reason. Various signs can indicate that plumbing lines need to be replaced, such as sporadic leaks, tubing discoloration, stains, or corrosion. Annual inspections of exposed plumbing pipes in utility rooms, basements, or crawl spaces are highly recommended for homes over 50 or 60 years old.

Regular inspections can predict future plumbing repair needs and prevent plumbing problems or problems down the road. It can also detect how soon a home’s plumbing will need to be replaced. Read on to learn more about the types of plumbing pipes and their average lifespan so you can better protect your investment when the time comes.

Types of plumbing pipes

There are some common types of pipe material that are used for indoor residential water supply plumbing. These include galvanized steel, copper, brass, cast iron, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some houses that are very old, or houses that were built in the 1970s, can retain two other types of pipe material that are very troublesome and should be removed immediately: lead and polybutylene pipes. Lead is a serious health hazard and can be ingested through drinking water, and polybutylene pipes are highly vulnerable to breakage and highly unreliable.

Aside from these two dangerous pipe materials, galvanized steel is the most troublesome water supply pipe in homes. They are made of steel and coated with zinc, and are commonly found in homes built before 1970. They corrode easily and build up accumulations of mineral deposits that reduce water flow, rust stains, and more. Any home with a galvanized steel water supply pipe needs plumbing pipe replacement services right away!

Cast iron pipe is another common pipe material. It is quite vulnerable to oxidation regardless of water conditions, but its thickness can reduce the rate at which oxidation affects water flow and corrosion. Cast iron pipes are mainly used for drain pipes.

Copper pipes are popular due to their natural corrosion resistance capabilities. Although not completely immune to corrosion, copper corrodes at a much slower rate than other pipe materials. Brass is a material made from a combination of copper and zinc, and it retains characteristics similar to copper. Red brass tubing is the most durable brass tubing, made primarily of copper. Polyvinyl chloride or PVC pipes are made of plastic and have glued fittings. They are used for indoor water supply because they are vulnerable to UV light.

Average Lifespan of Plumbing Pipes:

• Galvanized steel: 20-40 years

• Cast iron: 40-80 years

• Brass: 40-80 years

• Copper: 50-80 years

• PVC: 50-80 years