So you’ve started looking for a new home and there’s this lovely unit that you’ve been eyeing since day one of your search. When you checked it out, everything seems fine except for the plumbing, which looks old and needs some serious overhaul. You’ve decided to buy the house anyway and just have the whole plumbing system replaced.
It may seem easy but plumbing renovation is one complicated job. Even if you will hire someone to do it, there are still a couple of things you need to do. For instance, you should know what materials are necessary for the project. The last thing you want is spending top dollar for a material that won’t hold up for long. Here are guide questions you can use to find the perfect material for your new plumbing system.
Has anyone used the material before?
If a certain metal is not that popular even to suppliers, chances are it’s not the ideal choice. Go for a material that has been used by trusted builders in your area or the one used in well-built homes in your neighborhood.
Does it rust or corrode?
This is perhaps the most important question you should ask yourself and the supplier. You wouldn’t want to use a metal that will only contaminate your water with rust debris down the road. Choose a metal like copper or any of its alloys because they are proven capable of resisting corrosion. There are select copper material suppliers offering copper plumbing pipes that you can ask about the corrosion of metals.
Is it tough and strong?
Not all corrosion-resistant metals are ideal for plumbing construction. You also have to factor in the forces the material has to deal with. Water may be still when they are in a container but within pipes they flow at tremendous rate, creating immense pressure. Your material must be tough enough to resist puncture and strong enough to hold up to pressure and not burst.
Does it kill bacteria?
Not very many metals are capable of the oligodynamic effect, a phenomenon characterized by the release of certain ions, which destroy a particular type of protein in bacteria cells, eventually killing them. Metals like copper and silver are among the few that can, and should be on your list.
Who is selling it?
It is crucial that you also know who your supplier is. There are thousands of copper material suppliers in North America and probably hundreds within your area alone, so choosing can be quite tricky. But if you know what to look for, it can be easier. The supplier, first and foremost, must be an established business with a clean and impressive reputation. This means they must have been in operation for many years or even decades. It would also be wise to choose a company that specializes in copper, since it’s the material you will eventually need. After all, the answers to your questions will all boil down to choosing copper.
Asking the right questions is critical in purchasing any product, especially materials for your plumbing. Being able to pick the right material means you can build a sturdy and durable plumbing system for your new home. This also means you won’t have to worry about repair and maintenance for many years.