Many San Diego homeowners experience problems with their water supply because of the galvanized piping which was installed many years ago. Over time the galvanized steel deteriorates and causes problems that may start small and end up large. For example, you may have replaced the water heater in your San Diego home because of temperature fluctuations and not realize that the problem may be much bigger. If you don’t take care of the problem as a whole soon, you will replace your water heater again sometime in the near future. Your home may need repiping to remove the galvanized steel and replace it with either copper or PEX pipes.
Signs that it’s Not Just Your Water Heater
Water heaters do go bad from time to time. Usually you can change a heating element or thermostat and that takes care of the problem. You shouldn’t have to change your actual water heater unless the tank itself is leaking. There are a couple of different things you can look for to learn if your water heater is the core of the problem or if you have a bigger issue to deal with.
- Leaks in different areas of the house
- Low water pressure
- Corrosion on the heating element
- Corrosion on faucets
- Poor quality drinking water
- Repeated issues with the water heater
When galvanized pipes begin to deteriorate they have a buildup inside the pipes. This corrosion can leak into other areas like your faucets and appliances—such as your water heater. If you are experiencing any of the problems listed above, the water heater is likely not the source of your problem; it’s only a symptom of it.
Should You Replace the Water Heater?
The water heater in your San Diego home may very well need to be replaced. If you are going to replace it, you might consider a tankless water heater in order to conserve energy, reduce your bills, and free up the space where your old water heater was located. However, you still may have to replace the pipes in your home to prevent further issues. Remember that the deterioration is only going to get worse and it will eventually cause damage to the structure of your home.
Who to Call
As odd as it may sound, your local plumber is not the one you want to call. Because they don’t specialize in replacing galvanized pipes with copper ones, it will be more expensive, take longer, and you will most likely be left with drywall to replace. Instead, contact a San Diego repiping specialist and get the job done in as little as one day with no further work needed.
