During water line repair, Atlanta homeowners have the opportunity to lower their bills.
When it comes to water line repair, Atlanta property owners have a friend in Morningside Plumbing. With nearly 40 years of experience in the area, we strive to treat each of our customers with fairness and respect. That includes giving you a heads-up to upgrades you can count on to pay off.
Most people only invest in improvements to appliances or features when the previous ones fail. They buy new water heaters and replace water lines when their water pressure falls, a pipe springs a leak or they’re not getting hot water anymore. There are affordable plumbing upgrades you can make during construction or any point going forward that offer up a ton of savings. Today, we’re going to talk about the most valuable.
How Insulating Water Lines Lowers Your Water and Energy Bills and Then Some
Insulating water lines after installation is tricky. Buried behind walls, under floors or even under the ground, they’re not easy to reach. You must expose water lines to repair or replace them, so this is the perfect time to add insulation.
But first things first. How do you know there’s a problem with your water lines? Download our fact sheet, “Top Three Signs Your Water Lines Need Repair,” for a quick rundown on what shouldn’t be a frequent problem. If your home is suffering from leaking water lines on a regular basis, it might be time to consider a full-home water line replacement.
Insulating your water pipes offers several benefits, including:
- Energy savings
- Water savings
- Increased property value
- Frozen pipe prevention
- Condensation & noise control
Insulating your hot water pipes can help raise your water temperature two to four degrees Fahrenheit. This allows you to enjoy warmer water while turning your water heater down. You burn less fuel or use less energy to keep your water comfortable, which reduces your energy bills by 3-4 percent every year.
It might not seem like much, but there are water savings too. The use of insulation ensures the water coming out of your tap or showerhead gets warmer faster, meaning you use less water.
The combined savings in one year is enough to pay for the expense of installation, leaving you 20 years or more to enjoy lower prices. You get a bump in property value too. Any renovation that results in your home using fewer resources gives you an advantage. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, 73 percent of builders say homeowners will pay more for eco-friendly features. There’s more interest in sustainable measures than in home luxuries.
Insulating Your Water Pipes Protects Your Property and Your Comfort
The second problem is quite common for Georgia homeowners: condensation. As cold water pipes move chilled water through hot, humid spaces, they lower the temperature of the air around them. The air’s ability to hold water drops. The extra moisture forms on pipe surfaces as droplets. They drip on building materials around the pipes, leading to water damage. If not caught right away, mold and mildew set in, which aren’t just expensive and timely to fix; the spores they release can cause serious health problems.
Insulation controls the temperature changes that lead to frozen pipes and the formation of condensation. It also provides noise control. Depending on the age of your home and the quality of the pipes, this might not be a problem. In some homes, it’s a feature capable of making a difference in life quality.
The Best Types of Pipe Insulation Based on Appliance
Whether you’re replacing a burst pipe or installing new lines to supply heavy-duty appliances, insulation will depend largely on the type of water heater you own. The top two materials used in making pipe sleeves are neoprene foam and polyethylene. These help regulate temperature while adding additional benefits, like noise reduction and water resistance. Both are affordable enough for insulation to add a minimal amount to your reno bills.
Still, some people like to save as much as possible while fixing things around a property. Landlords, in particular, are out to save money. Insulating pipes is easy once you can access them. Just cut the sleeve to the length of the pipe. Wrap it around the outside and secure with wire, tape or clips every foot or so.
There is one exception, however, as fire hazards exist when insulation is too close to a gas water heater’s flue. In these instances, per the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s best to use fiberglass pipe wrap secured with metal tape within a foot of the flue. Electric water heaters and tankless water heaters do not require the same restrictions.
That doesn’t mean insulation is always a DIY job. The mess, effort and time spent insulating poses challenges to plenty of homeowners. The presence of old insulation is a problem as well.
How Replacing Old Insulation Could Put Your Health at Risk
Pipe insulation isn’t a new idea. Homes built as far back as the 1850s had running water. Builders have been attempting to prevent broken pipes and other water problems since then. Unfortunately, from the 1860s to the 1970s, many of those attempts included asbestos, which we now know is a bigger problem than it’s worth. Handling old insulation could expose you to asbestos and put your health at risk.
When in doubt? Call Morningside Plumbing to assess the situation. We have the experience and training to keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to put it to use! These kinds of tasks are the reason Atlanta property owners consider our business an essential resource. We’ll cover your water lines in durable, high-quality pipe sleeve insulation.
Already Have Insulated Pipes? Try These Upgrades Instead
Most water lines fail for one of two reasons:
- Tree roots
- Deterioration
There are exceptions. Contractors can inadvertently dig up water lines while doing other renovation work. Foundations can shift and pinch your water line shut. Certain chemicals and DIY treatments can damage them. Most of the time, though, it’s either time or nature that causes your problems.
There are a few upgrades you can use to combat both of these common problems:
- Slip-lining – Is ridding your pipes of tree roots a constant battle? Consider a liner. These ultra-tough inserts ward off tree roots while allowing you to forgo digging up the yard in the process.
- Leak detection systems – If you live in a home with older plumbing, a leak detection system helps you stop leaks before they’re out of control.
Then again, maybe it’s time for a change? Even the most robust materials eventually wear out. If you’re having a ton of plumbing problems, it’s time to consider replacement. New PVC water pipes will last 100 years if cared for properly and kept out of the sun. Cast iron pipes can last 100 years as well but galvanized steel pipes only last up to 50 years. One of our trusted professionals can help you assess the health of your home’s plumbing system.
During water line repair, Atlanta property owners have the best chance at affordable, useful plumbing upgrades, like pipe insulation. Contact Morningside Plumbing to schedule your service today, click or call 404-873-1881.