It depends
The answer no one wants to hear is that it depends. There are different thicknesses of copper pipe used in residential applications and water chemistry also plays a role in the corrosion of pipes. The list below is for informational purposes only. A variety of other conditions can shorten the life expectancy of your piping.
Types of Supply Lines
- Copper: 50-70 Years
- PEX: 30-50 Years
- Poly B: 10-15 Years
Types of Drain Lines
- ABS: 50-80 Years
- PVC: 100 Years
- Clay Tile: 50 Years
- Cast Iron: 100 Years
These lists are not exhaustive. Other types of piping exist and we will probably see more to come. The main concern during a home inspection in Edmonton is Poly B piping. You may be required to use a purchase plus improvement option. Poly B piping was prevalent in the mid 90’s. It can break for no rhyme or reason, one theory was due to chloride in the water making the pipe susceptible to stress cracking. Orangeburg pipe is has been found with sewer scopes. This is the trade name for “bituminous fiber pipe”….cardboard. Most of it was installed post WWII and is usually in very rough condition. At Gambit Inspections, we try to prevent expensive excavations and repairs by doing a thorough and complete home inspection when you’re buying your home. This is also why it is beneficial to get a sewer scope on your drain system.
What if I Have a Pipe Leak of Burst?
Just because you have one pinhole leak, doesn’t mean you need new plumbing. We need to ask, “What caused the leak?”. Could it have been a thin spot in the pipe during manufacturing? Maybe damaged during transport or installation? If your pipes are near the end of life, you should see a few pinhole leaks in the hot side of your supply lines. At some point, it won’t be worth continuing to fix your plumbing.
How to Tell if There is a Leak
These can be tricky to locate. Staining on a wall or ceiling or mold growing on the edge of a floor are good visual indicators. You might even notice a musty smell. Gambit Inspections can be brought in to use thermal imaging or a pinless moisture meter to identify moisture problems.