Ensuring you have the right pipes in your Florida home is essential for an efficient plumbing system. There are many different materials available for piping, and it’s important to choose the best for your situation.

This guide will discuss the many piping options and how they can benefit your plumbing system. With the right knowledge about your piping options, you can repipe your home or install pipes for your new construction, knowing that your plumbing will be in great shape.

Types of Pipes Commonly Used in Home Plumbing

A variety of pipes are used in home plumbing systems. Different materials provide different advantages depending on the local water quality and use. It’s also important to know how long your pipes should last, so you can stay on top of maintenance and repair needs.

Below, we outline the most common materials used for plumbing pipes and their benefits.

Galvanized Pipes

Galvanized pipes are made of steel and coated with a layer of zinc to help prevent corrosion and decay. These have been a popular choice for plumbing pipes for many decades. Over time, however, the zinc coating breaks down and can release the chemicals into the water line, leaving the pipes susceptible to decay.

Galvanized pipes tend to be wider, allowing more materials to flow through. They can also be one of the least expensive plumbing pipes available.

Cast Iron Pipes

Cast iron pipes are thick, sturdy, and wide for easy flow. These pipes were popular for decades but have since become less common. They tend to last 40–60 years before significant deterioration starts to set in. Cast iron pipes have been known to work well for 100 years or more when maintained properly.

Copper Pipes

Copper pipes are long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, and some of the most durable pipes available. These are known to last 50–70 years or longer when installed by an expert. Copper pipes can have some trouble with highly acidic water, but they’re a reliable choice overall.

They can handle up to 1000 psi of pressure and are an excellent option for hot and cold water lines.

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless steel pipes are designed to resist corrosion and last for years. The strength of these pipes surpasses copper and galvanized pipes, making them very reliable in the long run. Stainless steel piping is also energy-efficient, holding in heat more tightly than most other piping options.

These pipes are a great option for delivering hot water throughout a home.

PVC Pipes

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping is environmentally friendly, available in various thicknesses, and designed to last 100 years or more. PVC pipes are cost-effective and safe for drinking water delivery. These pipes have shown promise when used in a wide range of applications, from drinking water delivery to sewage removal and more.

PEX Pipes

Polyethylene (PEX) piping is corrosion-resistant, flexible, and easy to install. It has become a popular option for homeowners and business owners over the years. PEX piping can be a bit costly, but it’s not the most expensive piping on the market. It also requires very minimal maintenance.

The Best Pipe Material for Florida Homes

Piping systems in residential properties throughout Florida need to handle hard water. Many areas of the state deal with hard water or high amounts of calcium and magnesium in the water. This often shows up as a thin white film on washed drinking glasses or a slimy feeling after washing your hands.

Over time, calcium, magnesium, and other materials can collect within a pipe, delivering higher concentrations of these materials into the water supply. These materials can also slow water flow until the materials break down.

The best pipe material for Florida homes is any type that resists this buildup. PVC pipes come in various thicknesses and are well-known for safely delivering drinking water throughout a home. PEX pipes are corrosion-resistant, so hard water won’t easily break them down.

Depending on your home and specific needs, different piping materials may be better for different applications.

Whatever plumbing pipes you choose for your home, let Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical handle the installation. Our expert plumbers have installed pipes of every kind in homes throughout the Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City region. You can count on us for a job well done.

Contact us today to get started on your plumbing pipe installation project.

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How To Unclog a Drain Naturally

Using chemical cleaners to clear a drain clog can often do more harm than good. These chemicals can eat away at your pipes, causing them to deteriorate over time. Instead, homeowners should seek out alternative methods for unclogging a drain that do not rely on the use of chemicals.

But what chemical-free methods are the most effective for eliminating stubborn blockages? Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical highlights some of the best ways to unclog a drain without chemicals in the blog below!

Method #1 – Try a Plunger

Bathroom sinks and shower drains are notorious for accumulating hair and soap scum. While the plunger might be the go-to tool for clearing out a clogged toilet, plungers can also be used to get rid of stubborn blockages in your drains.

Here’s how you can use a plunger to unclog your bathroom drains:

1. Remove the plug or drain stop cover from the drain.
2. Allow the faucet to run until there is approximately 1 inch of water in the sink or tub.
3. Cover the drain with the plunger to create a seal around the entire drain opening.
4. Pump the plunger rapidly for up to 30 seconds.
5. Remove the plunger and watch the water drain. If there is still water in the basin, repeat steps three and four again.

Method #2 – Use Baking Soda & Vinegar

Baking soda is an all-natural cleaner that’s excellent for eating away stubborn sludge. By combining this natural cleaner with some vinegar and boiling water, homeowners can concoct a chemical-free clog removal solution in no time.

Follow the steps below to use baking soda and vinegar to clear your drains:

1. Boil a kettle of water and pour it down the drain to loosen any debris.
2. Boil an additional kettle of water.
3. Make a solution with 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water.
4. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and the solution down the drain.
5. Plug the drain and wait 10 minutes.
6. Pour the second kettle of water down the drain.

The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar should be enough to loosen a minor clog. By sending down the boiling water afterward, all the loosened materials are then flushed out of the pipe.

Method #3 – Use a Drain Snake

A drain snake is often the best DIY option unclogging a drain. Drain snakes are specifically designed to travel to hard-to-reach parts of your pipes to unclog your system. When used correctly, they can do wonders for removing difficult blockages. Here’s how to do it:

1. Put the end of the drain snake into the drain.
2. Turn the handle, pushing the tip of the snake further into the drain.
3. Keep cranking the handle until you begin to feel resistance.
4. Rotate the snake, continuing to crank until you feel it break through the blockage.
5. Crank the handle in the opposite direction to pull the snake out of the drain once it makes its way through the clog.
6. Run hot water into the drain for a couple of minutes to flush out any remaining debris.

When To Call a Professional Plumber for Help

In some cases, a drain clog requires professional help to clear entirely. Contact a plumber for help if:

• Multiple drains are backed up simultaneously.
• You smell sewage odors in the home.
• You see particularly lush areas of your lawn.
• None of the DIY methods worked.
• You have an old plumbing system that needs professional attention.

These symptoms could point to a larger problem within your plumbing system, including sewer line blockages, a sewer line break, or tree root infiltration. Each of these problems requires the skilled attention of a qualified plumbing professional to diagnose and repair properly with methods including hydro/sewer jetting.

Have a Stubborn Drain Clog? Call the Plumbers at Peaden!

If you’re experiencing stubborn drain clogs in your home, don’t hesitate to contact the plumbers at Peaden to put your problems to rest.

Our team has over 50 years of experience eliminating blockages from Florida Panhandle plumbing systems. Using our sophisticated video camera pipe inspection technology and state-of-the-art hydro jetting equipment, our team can effectively remove even the most stubborn drain blockage from your system.

From professional drain cleaning to sewer line clog removal, we’ll resolve your plumbing clog in no time. Call Peaden at (855) 557-7878 to request drain clog removal services in Pensacola, Panama City, or Fort Walton Beach today!

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Sewer line issues are particularly difficult to identify because the pipe is buried in your yard. Without an inspection from a professional plumber, you can’t easily see if and where your sewer line is leaking, clogged, or infiltrated by tree roots.

Even if you can’t see the damage yourself, you can often notice the side effects of sewer line damage if you know what to look for.

The plumbing team at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical has compiled a list of common signs you need sewer line repair so you’ll know when to call us for service.

1. Persistent Drain Clogs and Slow Drainage

There might be a deeper reason why pesky drains keep clogging, especially if you’re experiencing issues across multiple drains.

Consult a plumber instead of buying bottle after bottle of drain cleaner to no avail. Professional sewer jetting is the ultimate solution for clearing a sewer line clog.

2. Increased Pests in Your Yard

If rodents and insects are suddenly hanging around your yard, you may have a sewer line leak.

Pests are attracted to the smell and dampness of a broken sewer line and may find their way into your home through cracks in the pipe.

3. Gurgling Toilets

Your toilets shouldn’t be making excessive noises when they’re not in use.

Bubbling or gurgling toilets often appear before sewage backup, so you may be able to save your home from significant sewer waste damage if you act quickly.

4. Noticeable Sewage Smells

Whether it’s an unmistakable sewage smell or a musty or mildewy odor, it won’t disappear anytime soon if you ignore it.

A professional plumber can identify the source of the odor and repair the cracked pipe or leaking joints.

5. Lush Patches on Your Lawn

Sewage can act as fertilizer for your grass if it’s seeping through the pipe and into the surrounding soil.

These patches are one of the clearest signs that you have a sewer line issue and can help your plumber identify the exact location of the break.

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Contact Peaden for Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in the Florida Panhandle

If any of the signs above seem too familiar, call Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical today! We have over 50 years of experience serving Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City, so we’ve seen and resolved every sewer line issue for every type of sewer pipe.

When you call us for sewer line service, we’ll conduct a comprehensive sewer line inspection to get to the root of the issue quickly and effectively. Based on the severity of the break and the age of your sewer line, we’ll work with you to determine if you need sewer line repair or replacement.

Contact us online or call [site_info_phone_number] to schedule sewer service today!

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Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical wants to make sure you are always happy with our work and service, as well as recommend us to your friends and family who live in or around the Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City areas.  One of the ways we ensure customer satisfaction, is to educate our customers so they can learn as much about us — or any electrician or plumber, for that matter — so that you know you get the best work possible.

10 Questions You Should Ask Your Plumber or Electrician:

1. Are you licensed?

   Electricians are required to be licensed in most states and municipalities, plumbers are certified tradesmen. Don’t consider one who isn’t properly licensed. We are happy to share our company and technical staff licensing information for you.

2. Are you insured?

   This is an important question for the electrician given the potentially high liability for this work. The industry often recommends that electrician contractor carry at least $500,000 in liability and workers’ compensation insurance.  Plumbers should also carry liability and worker’s compensation insurance.  Again, we are pleased to share our insurance with you.

3. What kind of work do you do most?

   Like many contractors, electricians and plumbers often specialize in one area or another.  Maybe your technician doesn’t fit your project, so it’s helpful to find out.

4. What special training or experience do you have for this kind of work?

   This expands on the question right above. It’s helpful if your electrician or plumber has experience working with exactly what you need.

    

5. Will you provide references?

   References are particularly important, aren’t they?  It’s hard to judge the quality of the technician’s work when you can’t see it.  We enjoy letting you know our great customer references for any and all work we do.

6. What does your estimate include?

   In addition to complete pricing, be sure to discuss incidentals, like repairing drywall and other things affected by the work. Chances are, you’ll be responsible for them and you may not need an extra expense!

7. Do I need a permit? Who will obtain it?

   A permit ensures electrical and plumbing work will be checked by a city inspector – this is really a protection for all homeowners. It’s standard procedure for electrical contractors to pull permits, and a certified plumber should know and understand the codes he, too, works under.

8. Who will perform the work?

   Please don’t assume the person you talk to will be the one doing your work. Ask about our rates and for all of our different technician qualifications.

9. What will you guarantee/warranty?

   Learn how well our professionals stand behind their work. Also, it’s typical that electricians typically assume responsibility for fixtures, devices and other equipment they buy for your project.

10. May I see a work in progress?

    Depending on the nature of your project, it might be helpful to visit an electrician’s current job, for a behind-the-scenes look at the work.

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Remember, a trusted electrician and plumber is a valuable partner and member of your household.  We work hard to promise that the electrician or plumber you hire with us today will be your go-to technician in emergencies and additional projects.

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