Is danger lurking behind your toilet or under your sink?
When did you last change the flexible water lines and angle stops to your plumbing fixtures? Did you know flexible hoses are recommended to be replaced every 5-10 years? They could be a hidden danger that could cause flooding in your home. This applies to bathroom faucets, toilets, and sometimes kitchen faucets. The hoses are connected to angle stop shut-off valves that should be replaced or serviced every 10-20 years for optimal preventative maintenance.
Many newer homes from the year 2000+ feature cheap plastic shut-off valves with non-replaceable flexible water hoses. This means that the whole valve and hose must be replaced entirely when the water hose goes terribly. These valves tend to have a bad reputation due to their flaws, unreliability, and high failure rate. Since they are plastic, they’re more prone to cracking due to old age or accidental damage. Additionally, their internal moving components wear down much faster than a more traditional metal shut-off valve, leading to the inability to entirely shut off the water to a fixture, a crucial feature in an emergency.
When replacing your valves, there are many options on the market. A key thing to note when replacing your valves is how long the manufacturer rates the valve for use. They are also known as the recommended lifespan. This can vary from 5-50 years, so it’s essential to consider. At McCray and Sons Home Services, we install and highly recommend Dahl™ mini-ball valves. They feature a threaded inlet for hose interchangeability and a ¼ turn shut-off design for easy shut-off in emergency situations. Dahl™ valves are made in Canada from 100% American-made brass and are backed with a lifetime manufacturer warranty – one of the only brands that does this. Similar valves you can purchase at Home Depot or Lowes only carry warranties for around 10-25 years.
Another thing to consider when shopping for valves is the type of water piping in your home or property. Houses are typically plumbed with copper, galvanized, pex, or sometimes CPVC. It is essential to know which material you are dealing with so that you can purchase the correct type of valve and bring the right tools for your project. Each material will have different methods of adjoining the valve to the pipe, with varying degrees of strength and reliability.
Failure of the valve or hose can lead to flooding and water damage in your home or property. If ignored, a minor repair like this can quickly turn into a costly water-damage renovation, depending on the severity of the failure. This is why regular upkeep and preventative property maintenance are essential parts of being a homeowner.
Warning signs your valve may be bad or going bad include signs of leaks, low water pressure, and difficulty turning off water. McCray and Sons specialize in plumbing!
Call us today for an estimate! 916.258.2190
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