Quick answer
Many Tampa Bay homes built before the mid-1970s have cast iron drain lines and sometimes galvanized steel supply pipes, both of which corrode from the inside over time. Homes from roughly the late 1970s to mid-1990s may have polybutylene supply pipe, which is prone to failure. Knowing what's in your walls helps you plan instead of reacting to a leak.
Pipe materials by era
- Cast iron drains: common in older homes; can crack, scale, and corrode
- Galvanized steel supply: rusts internally, causing low pressure and discolored water
- Polybutylene (gray plastic) supply: prone to failure at fittings
- Copper: durable, but can develop pinhole leaks over time
Warning signs
- Recurring drain clogs or slow drains
- Rusty water or low pressure
- Sewage odor or sewer line symptoms
- Signs of a slab leak
Buying or remodeling an older home?
It's a good time to know what you have. We can look at visible piping and talk through whether spot repairs or repiping fit your plans.
Common questions
How do I know if I have cast iron drains?
Look at exposed drain pipe in the garage, a crawlspace, or near the cleanout — cast iron is dark, heavy, and metallic. We can confirm during a visit.