As a Chicago property manager, it is imperative that you stay on top of your water supply and drain lines. Failure to have your pipes inspected, repaired, restored and replaced in a timely manner could lead to catastrophic consequences, including pipe blowouts, extensive water damage and high water bills.
1. What is the age of my plumbing pipe?
As a general rule, you can expect your water supply pipes and risers to last between 20 and 70 years. Drain lines are usually manufactured to last more than 75 years, providing they are not infiltrated by roots or clogged with grease and debris. As a Chicago property manager, you should take the time to determine the ages of your pipes and schedule regular camera inspections and maintenance services to help prevent problems before they lead to plumbing failures in your Chicago multi-unit residential building.
2. Do I have PVC, copper, brass or galvanized 
steel pipes?
Knowing the type of plumbing pipes you have will allow you to research the expected lifespans and benefits and drawbacks so that you can develop a short and long-term repair and replacement plan. In general, copper has a long lifespan of more than 50 years. However, it is susceptible to pinhole leaks and leaks in the bends, joints and seams, and the seams may be sealed with lead-based solder.
If your building was built between 1930 and 1980, it may contain galvanized steel pipes, which are prone to rusting and low water pressure. If the pipes rust, they could contaminate your drinking water with lead and develop leaks.
Brass pipes are comprised of up to 85 percent copper and zinc. They are designed to last up to 70 years and perform very well as hot water supply lines. Since brass pipes cannot easily be bent without kinking them, they are typically connected with fittings and elbows, which can leak over time.
If your building is newer, it probably contains PVC water pipes. These pipes are incredibly durable and do not have an expected end-of-life date unless they are installed incorrectly, exposed to sunlight or punctured by sharp rocks or incompatible materials.
3. What should I do if I have lead pipes?
If you have lead pipes, you should immediately have them replaced, lined or coated. Lead pipes can release lead into your drinking water, which is known to cause central nervous system damage, learning problems and low IQ in children. It can cause birth defects and premature birth if pregnant women drink lead-contaminated water, and adults may develop cardiovascular and/or kidney disease if they drink water contaminated by lead.
4. How many plumbing repairs have I had to make over the last six to 12 months?
If you have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of repair calls you've made to your local Chicago plumbing contractor, it's time to create a short and long term pipe repair and replacement plan. Waiting until your plumbing pipes fail and then fixing them is not a good financial plan, especially if all your pipes are the same age.
Repairing or replacing once section that failed does not address the issues with the other pipes in your Chicago multi-unit residential building. Creating a short-term repair plan to fix the most critical plumbing pipes in your building and a long-term plan to repair, restore or replace the less critically damaged pipes can save you money and keep your water system running smoothly.
5. Does my plumbing repair and replacement plan take into consideration trenchless pipe restoration?
If replacing all of your water supply lines and drain lines seems daunting and expensive, consider trenchless pipe restoration. Applying an epoxy coating or relining your pipes can prevent lead from leaching into your residents' drinking water, stop leaks, restore structural integrity and halt further corrosion. Pipe restoration is also less costly and less invasive than traditional pipe replacement.
