Plumbing a Waterline to Your Refrigerator

January 1st, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you intend to replace your previous refrigerator with one that includes an icemaker and/or water dispenser in the door, you will require some plumbing work in order to attach your water system to the refrigerator’s water supply connection. A separate water line can be run directly to refrigerator’s location. Often times, however, running a water line from the under the kitchen sink over to the refrigerator is sufficient. As with any plumbing within a residence, there will be local building codes which must be adhered to.

Tapping into an existing water supply system to add a new line and shutoff valves is not something recommended for a do-it-yourselfer. A licensed plumber will know the requirements of local building codes for the installation. A professional plumber will also know the proper means of routing the water supply line through the home’s construction without compromising its integrity.

A plumber’s knowledge of the materials required and proper installation methods will make for a much quicker installation than that of a homeowner who has never performed the task before. Tapping into a water supply system is not an easy task. Making mistakes in the plumbing may require more work and frustration to remedy the situation than was budgeted for the project in dollars and time.

For a professional plumber, a waterline installation to a new refrigerator is a common task. Hiring a professional for this task assures you that the installation will be done correctly and quickly. If you already have the water supply hookup for the new refrigerator, you may still want to have a plumber inspect the connections to be sure they are in good repair before installing the new refrigerator.

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Frozen Water Pipes Can Cause Major Damage

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you’ve ever had water pipes freeze in your home, you know that it can be, at the very least, a frustrating experience. If you are one of the unlucky homeowner’s who have actually had frozen water pipes burst, then you understand just how extensive the damage can be in that situation.

The water pipes that are mostly likely to freeze are those that are located in or near an outside wall or pipes in an unheated crawlspace. The water in the pipes can freeze during an unusually cold dip in temperature. This is usually not an issue in a well-insulated and heated home. Homes in areas that don’t normally have extremely cold weather can be susceptible, as well as homes which are vacant during a cold snap with no one maintaining the heat levels in the home.

The first sign that you have a frozen water pipe is often when you are unable to get any, or very little, water from a faucet. The ice in the pipe is blocking the flow of water. The danger of major damage comes not only from the fact that the ice may break the pipe itself, but that the break in the pipe could quickly flood your home with water.

A burst water line may not be immediately evident, since the ice in the pipe may actually be keeping the water blocked inside the pipe. It is when the ice begins to thaw that the leakage starts to happen and you are at risk of having gallons of water pour into your home. Professional plumbers understand these dynamics and know how to check for these potential problems. If you suspect frozen water pipes in your home, contact a plumber immediately so they can assess the situation and assist you in minimizing the damage which can result.

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Is Water Line Insurance Necessary?

July 18th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Have you received a solicitation to purchase insurance for your water supply line?  If so, you may be wondering if such insurance is necessary.  As a general rule, the answer is that your money is probably better spent on something else.  Most water supply lines will last a very long time without any problems.  If a leak does develop, it is usually not very difficult for your plumber to dig up the line and repair it.

However, there are some situations in which you may want the peace of mind of water line insurance.  There are two types of water lines that are known to be prone to leakage.  Galvanized steel pipes were used for water supply lines in many homes up through the 1960s.  From the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, polybutylene pipes were commonly installed.  Both of these types of pipes are known to fail prematurely.  Polybutylene typically fails within the first ten to fifteen years and cast iron pipe will last a little longer.

When these pipes fail, the entire line will need to be replaced and the water line repair  can cost thousands of dollars.  If your water supply line is galvanized steel or polybutylene, water line insurance might make sense.  Be sure you buy it from a reputable company and read the policy carefully for any exclusions or limitations.

Fortunately, most of the galvanized steel and polybutylene water supply lines have long since been replaced so check to see what type of pipe you have for your water supply line before springing for insurance.  Copper, PVC, and Polyethylene (PE) pipe are very reliable and usually last for decades without any problem.  If in doubt, your plumber can help you determine what type of water supply line you have and whether insurance is needed.

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