When it comes to home repair and maintenance there are few more daunting than the thought of re-piping your home. Far from a simple repair the complexity often warrants experts likely to charge a premium. Unfortunately, these renovations are a natural part of home ownership as the building ages.
The high price tag comes from the necessary skill it takes to complete the job and revitalize your home’s piping systems. Due to the skill requirements, this is far from a DIY task and will take time, patience, and investment. Before going all. in, how can you be as sure as possible that your home is in need for re-piping? Below is a comprehensive list of the signs and motivations for deciding if its time to re-pipe your home.
Plumbing issues have increased.
When you find your local plumber’s visits begin growing in consistency, know that this is a sign your system might need to be re-piped. Be sure to consult with a professional to try and locate any smaller issues. But if the problems persist, re-piping may be the best solution. Minor damage and issues won’t create chronic issues in your plumbing system; the serial culprit often turns out to be the age and degradation of the entire system.
Ask your plumber their thoughts on re-piping your system. They will often have the best understanding of your plumbing.
Your Pipes have begun to show their age.
An aging pipe system is most often the leading cause for the chronic failure and need for a system to be re-piped. Do some research and find your system’s history and age from documents or even previous tenants. No matter what, consult with your local experts and have them do a checkup and diagnosis of your system. This should get you the systems age, type of pipe, and any issues that need addressing.
Should your system be proven out of date or has grown weak from age, you should set up a re-piping and have the hazardous system replaced. Older pipe systems (such as lead pipe systems) can prove to be dangerous to a homeowner’s health. These systems should be regularly inspected for safety and potential damage.
There have been multiple leaks in the home’s system.
Leaks are one the most commonplace plumbing issues with old or worn-out systems. One leak can be easily repaired and is rarely a sign of a system failure. It can often be safely fixed then forgotten. Should you have frequent leaks from various sections and parts in your system, it could be a sign of the failure of the entire piping system.
It is important to professionally inspect your plumbing if you have multiple leaks in any older pipe system. The more antique systems often sustain additional damage compared to modern designs that can take advantage of newer innovations. Depending on the age and protections it provides, you may consider pre-emptively re-piping to avoid the risk of future failures.
Unusual taste or scent from your system’s water.
Pure water should be odorless, and colorless. Most tap water has a metallic or mineral taste. These flavors often come from your local water supply. Be sure to check your city’s water report for a more in-depth look at what to expect from the regular water.
Anytime you notice changes in the water’s smell, color or taste you should get your pipes inspected. This will ensure there is no contamination or pollution within your system. If the results indicate contamination, re-piping your home’s system is often the best choice to ensure the affected pipes are removed and replaced.
Low or unreliable water pressure
Low water pressure can be one of the most frustrating plumbing issues to fix. If it’s not caused by a leak or burst pipe it is often a clog or blocked pipe(s). Consulting with your plumber should help determine the cause. If a re-piping of some or all of your system is the best option, they should be able to provide you with a quote and information on the process.
Now let’s review what it takes to have your home’s plumbing system re-piped. This can often be a daunting process so let’s break it down into two sections: Re-Piping preparation, and Re-Piping execution.
Re-Piping Preparation
Initially all of the damage needs to be evaluated and the extent of repairs should be planned then priced. Depending on how much of the home’s plumbing is being re-piped can greatly change the overall price of repairs. Entire homes can skyrocket in price while smaller systems can be much more reasonable. Any qualified repairman should be able to get you a quote for the work after an evaluation.
Your local plumber will either offer the services themselves or have a recommendation to get you started.
Re-Piping Execution
The repair itself can take upwards of 2-7 days (depending on the extent of the job). It consists of protecting or removing any furniture, then using sensor technology to locate the pipes. The intervening walls are then removed along with the old pipes. The new ones are installed and the walls repaired and repainted. This process is repeated throughout the house give or take a few special scenarios until the full re-piping is completed.
Re-piping your home can be a stressful and overwhelming task. Be sure of its necessity and plan to work closely with your local experts. With their guidance and experience, you can easily solve your plumbing problems and bring new life to your plumbing systems.
