Having a water main go bad can create a stressful situation that no homeowner ever wants to have to deal with. Unfortunately, it does happen more often than anyone would like. If you are one of the unfortunate homeowners looking into Water Main Replacement in Alexandria, VA, the following facts could help you during this experience.
You are going to have to decide whether to repair or replace your water main. Making this decision could be difficult, but some details could help you make the choice a little easier. Consider the age of the water line. If it is around 50 years old or older, it would be in your best interest to do a complete replacement. If you were to attempt to repair the line, it could start a chain reaction that will not end until you break down and complete the replacement.
Knowing the material that the main line is constructed of will help with this decision. If the pipe is made of galvanized pipe or lead, you must remove it and replace it. Galvanized pipe can corrode from the inside and even if it looks good from the outside, is allowing corroded metal into your drinking water. Lead pipes will not withstand the test of time, so they should be replaced as soon as the first problem arises. It will become brittle and break easily causing you to dig up your yard time and time again until the line is replaced anyway.
The cost of this type of project can also help you decide what to do. If you are working on a budget like so many other homeowners, you will need to give this aspect of the job heavy consideration. Only a professional that performs Water Main Replacement in Alexandria, VA can give you a good working estimate of what both options will cost you. Once the plumber has given you a price for both options, you will be able to weigh your options a little better.
If the cost of repair is going to be half or more than replacement, it is in your best interest to go ahead with the replacement. It just would not be a wise decision to spend that much money on something that could fail in the near future anyway.
