Reasons You May Need to Re-pipe Your House

If your home’s water pipes are over 60 years old, you should have them replaced immediately, even if you do not think you have a problem with your home’s water pipes. Overtime, pipes start to corrode, which in turn can cause some major plumbing issues. Corroding pipes is a telltale indicator that it is time for them to be replaced. There are other signs that you may notice which indicate a need to re-pipe your home. Some of these top signs include:

  • Low water pressure
  • The water in the home is colored and rusty
  • The water flow is reduced
  • Frequent leaks in the pipes

Re-piping Process

During the re-piping process all of the water pipes currently in the home are removed and disposed of. Completely new set water pipes are then installed and the water is water turned back on. It is important to schedule your re-piping during a time that is feasible for you to go without water for an extended duration of time. The length of time the water is turned off will depend on the size of the home and degradation of the pipes. Your plumber should be able to give you a rough estimate during the initial evaluation of the pipes; however, most re-piping projects take 1-3 days. After the water is turned back on, the plumber will do a pressure test on the new water lines and flush it out. This will help remove any debris that may have gotten into the pipes during installation. Another thing to note is that it is very likely that after the re-piping is completed, that some wall patching is also going to have to be done. Check with your plumber to see if the patchwork is covered in the quote, or if you will need to recruit a drywall repair specialist.

Dangers of Not Re-piping When It is Needed

You might be thinking that you can’t do without running water for 3 days, so you would rather ride out your pipes’ life until it is absolutely necessary to replace. This thinking is going to cost you more in the long run. It is better to plan a mini- vacation and enjoy your hard earned money. There are many different dangers of not getting a re-piping done on your home’s water pipes. If your pipes are old (if your home was built before the year of 1986), it is very likely that you may get lead poisoning from your home’s water pipes. Lead poisoning is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Additionally, older pipes can also become clogged with contaminants and sediment which will deteriorate the inside of the water pipes and will cause water leaks. These water leaks can be fixed, but they are only going to be a temporary fix and cost you more in the long run via water damage. Furthermore, old water pipes can rust, which will impact the quality of your water and cause clogging in the pipes. Rust in the water is not as major of a health issue, like lead, but it should be avoided. Rust can cause your water to become hard, look dirty and taste unpleasant. Rust laden water also causes your clothes to be dingy, soap film to remain on your skin, and your dishes may have a buildup of deposits on them.