Re-pipe With Pex Pipe In Orlando

Posted on April 9, 2013 by chad siemer

Repiping with Pex Pipe

Getting a property ready to sell typically involves cleaning, repairing minor items, and maybe some painting. However, if you live in Orlando, Florida, readying a property for sale can also mean that the property will have to be re-piped. The reason for this is that many properties built in Orlando in the early 80’s and 90’s contain polybutylene piping.

Twenty to thirty years ago, polybutylene was used in construction because it was cost effective and easy to install. The downside to polybutylene is that over time this piping will fail resulting in leakage and water damage. When it became apparent that polybutylene piping was failing, litigation ensued. As a result, properties containing this type of piping must now be re-piped in order to be sold.

There may be obvious and not so obvious signs that indicate that a property contains polybutylene piping. The piping itself is usually gray, blue, or black and has a diameter of an inch or less. Many property owners may not pay attention to the type of piping they have though. For them, the first sign of a problem is a rising water bill. Lower than normal water pressure may also indicate that a plumbing system is leaking. There may be soggy areas in the yard or higher than normal water runoff from the yard if part of the exterior system has failed. In the event of a major leak, substantial damage can occur to the interior of the property as well as to any personal items located within. Water spots on walls and ceilings and wet spots on flooring can also indicate possible problems. Furthermore, mold and mildew can also result from leakage and this can open the door for a host of health concerns as well.

For those needing to re-pipe a property that contains polybutylene, the question then becomes what product should be used to re-pipe. There are options such as copper and CPVC piping. However, the best option is Pex piping installed by a professional plumber. Pex is an abbreviation for a product known as cross-linked polyethylene.

Using Pex piping results in numerous advantages. One of the biggest is the flexibility of the piping. Greater flexibility makes Pex easy to install. The increased flexibility also results in fewer sharp turns in piping which in turn leads to better water pressure. Pex is also less expensive than alternatives such as copper. With copper theft being at an all time high, some in the scrap metal market have been known to steal copper. Since Pex is not a scrap metal, it is not very attractive to thieves. Pex is also less likely to develop the leaks than can occur with other piping systems. Finally, Pex can be used in conjunction with other piping through the use of special fittings.

Selling a property in today’s market requires making sure that the property is attractive, well-maintained, and without any system issues. For those trying to sell in the Orlando area, one system issue can be a plumbing system consisting of polybutylene piping. For property owners in this situation, professionally installed Pex piping is a great choice.

Repiping done right with Jeff’s Kitchen Bath & Beyond, call today for a FREE estimate 407-968-1801. Save $200 off your entire repipe job by mentioning the coupon below.

Repiping Your Orlando Home With Pex Piping

Posted on April 4, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

The PEX piping that we use has several advantages over CPVC and copper piping. Also known as cross-linked polyethylene, PEX piping is reliable and safe.

Advantages of Using PEX Instead Of Copper

Cheaper

One of the main advantages that PEX piping has over piping made from copper is cost. In most cases, you will find that PEX piping is about a third of the cost of copper piping. For example, half-inch PEX will cost a third of the price of the same size copper piping.

However, PEX might require special tools that we need to install fittings, which can slightly offset the savings. In most situations, you can save a lot of money by choosing PEX piping over piping that is made from copper.

Faster Installation
When we install PEX piping, it’s normally much faster than installing copper. A PEX installation can be imagined as the process of installing a garden hose to a few different fixtures, which means it’s easy and fast. Regardless of the plumbing system, PEX connections are normally much easier than soldering various copper pipe connections.

No Corrosion
One of the biggest problems with copper piping is corrosion. Over time, acidic water can easily corrode copper piping. However, corrosion is a problem that simply doesn’t exist with PEX piping. Since PEX is not harmed by acidic water, it’s especially useful for areas that run on acidic water.

Advantages of Using PEX Instead Of CPVC
In terms of cost, CPVC and PEX are about the same. However, it’s very likely that PEX will still be a better option. Unlike CPVC, PEX piping does not require glue. Although this benefit is great for someone installing their own PEX, it makes our job much easier and safer.

Since PEX doesn’t require glue, we don’t have to wear a respirator or work in areas with superb ventilation. Also, if it ever freezes, PEX piping is not likely to burst. Once frozen, the chance of CPVC bursting is much more likely. PEX is also much easier to “fish” through walls because it’s very flexible. The fact that the PEX that we use is available in long lengths makes our job much easier.

How Reliable Is PEX?
In many countries, PEX has been used for decades. Many of the homes in these countries have PEX piping that is over 30 years old. Even after decades of use, the PEX piping in these homes continues to maintain strength.

The majority of PEX piping problems are caused by faulty fittings and sloppy installations. It’s not the tubing itself, but faulty installation practices that cause most of the problems that people have had with this type of piping.

Repiping done right with Jeff’s Kitchen Bath & Beyond, call today for a FREE estimate 407-968-1801. Save $200 off your entire repipe job by mentioning the coupon below.

Everything you should know about slab leaks

Posted on February 19, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Slab leaks can be a serious issue if not dealt with promptly. If left untreated, slab leaks can eventually lead to erosion of the foundation itself. Slab leaks occur when the pipes within a home structure are corroded and start to leak. Usually these pipes are placed next to critical components of the home like flooring, supports or fixtures and this leaking poses a pretty big threat to your home if it affects these key components.

It is important for one to thoroughly look for signs of a slab leak before it’s too late. One of the most common signs for a slab leak is finding water seepage through the cement foundations of the home. There may also be a slight accumulation of flooding water. These are all signs that the pipes within a slab may have been ruptured and are currently leaking water. While it may take some time for symptoms to be seen from a slab leak, once they are noticed they should be repaired as soon as possible.

There may also be more noticeable signs of a slab leak such as low water pressure within the home lines and an increase in the water utility bill. Subtle hints like this should worry you enough to ask a professional for a thorough inspection of your pipes. Plumbing leaks and damages may be extensive without you even realizing. The longer you wait, the more you will spend in utility bills – all the while the problem is worsening with time.

Typically, a slab leak repair is accomplished by using a jackhammer to chip away at the foundation area that is need of repair. Once the slab has been cracked away at, the piping within the slab may then be repaired. It may also be necessary for one to have the water pipelines re-routed. While it may cost some money to repair a slab leak, these expenses are well worth it when compared to the potential damage costs an untreated leak could lead to. It is more beneficial for one to consult with a professional contracting company that specializes in slab leak matters to receive professional service from servicemen who are trained to repair these types of leaks.

Orlando, FL’s go-to plumber for slab leaks, piping repairs and residential plumbing maintenance is Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath & Beyond. Call us (407) 968-1801 at for our supreme residential plumbing service. We offer accurate pipe inspection at competitive pricing if you think your system is having problems.

The Secrets of Early Leak Detection

Posted on January 18, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Water leaks will commonly appear in homes. They ordinarily occur where appliances and plumbing fixtures are located. This would be places such as the bathroom, kitchen, garage, pool, patio, laundry, or even near the water meter.

A water leak in a home will worsen over time and can cause a great deal of damage. When such a thing is suspected, it is always a good idea to call a plumber. Such a plumber will offer 24/7 service so you do not have to have damage accumulate prior to have the leak taken care of. They will have experienced personnel on hand who can take care of all your leak detection needs.

Although many people depend on detecting water leaks by sight or sound there are new devices on the market that can detect a leak that would not otherwise be apparent. Qualified plumbers are well aware of these very convenient devices.

One of these is called a ‘spot detector’. This device can sense water leaks via a sense probe or by a visual indicator. It may be one device or several strung together to cover a larger area. Plumbers also use what is called a hydroscopic tape-based system in which a tape is placed around an infrastructure or equipment and monitored. When the tape becomes wet, an alarm will show there is a leak.

A common leak detector that a plumber can install is an Active Leak Detection System. This system is installed to stop, automatically, the flow of water when an alarm goes off. There are two types of this system.
First is the Individual Appliance System, which is hooked to a single appliance. When a leak is detected, it will automatically shut off the water supply to that appliance.
Second is the Whole House System. This system places numerous sensors throughout the home and shuts off the main water supply when a leak is detected.

Early leak detection is the key to avoiding serious damage and costly repairs. Contact Jeff”s Kitchen Bath & Beyond. We are your Oviedo Plumbing Specialists. Call us anytime at (407) 968-1801