House Repiping When Does Your House Need Repiping
House Repiping, ever heard of such a thing? The plumbing system of a house is made up of many components. But when you hear the word “plumbing,” what do you think of first? I bet it is dollar signs right? But what about “pipes”
Unfortunately, homeowners often never ever think about their plumbing pipes until something happens. People imagine that their piping will be able to last for as long as they live in the house. But almost all homes at some point will need repiping services.
This can be something simple, such as removing a single leaking section or to accommodate a new type of appliance. Or it can extend, such as whole-house repiping, where plumbers remove all the pipes and swap them for newer materials, such as copper and plastics.
Well, you might want to take some things into consideration if you are having frequent plumbing problems. But this is just one question, there are more…
How Old Is Your House?
The age of a home is one of the main determinants in when it needs to be repiped. A home that was built before 1970 likely contains metals such as galvanized steel. After 1970 copper replaced most of these metals, as well as durable and corrosion-resistant plastics like PEX and CPVC.
Search For Signs Of Trouble
If your house is built before 1970, you should start by searching for signs of trouble. Take a look at exposed pipes in your basement, crawl space below your house or even the pipes connected to your water heater.
Look for flaking, stains, discoloration, dimpling, etc. These are all signs of corrosion. Another obvious sign of your pipes decaying is yellow or brown water coming out of your sinks or tub.
For a home built before World War II, it’s almost certain that it needs extensive repiping. Unless the home has already had repiping done, it will have pipe materials such as cast iron, galvanized steel, and even clay making up its plumbing system.
The home has likely already suffered from numerous leaks and other plumbing issues, and whole-house repiping is probably the best solution. It’s a big step, but it will also make an enormous difference in the future of the house.
Repiping Before Remodeling Your Home
When you think about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, your thoughts probably turn to paint colors, stylish new lighting and fixtures, and shiny new appliances. But homeowners often neglect an important first step: making sure that the pipes and plumbing system are in good shape before cosmetic remodeling begins.
Left unchecked, you could spend thousands of dollars on making your home beautiful, only to have an unforeseen plumbing issue ruin your new room. Re-piping your home before remodeling will prevent the chance of a pipe leaking behind a new wall or appliance and causing damage that requires drywall repair. In addition, rust builds up in galvanized steel pipes over time which can also damage new appliances and fixtures by not providing the proper amount and quality of water needed to operate properly.
By beginning your kitchen or bath remodel with a whole-home repipe, homeowners are saving the money that they would be spending in the future to repair a future leak. Plus, a repipe improves the lifespan of your fixtures and increases the value of your home. John Moore’s whole-home repipes come with a Peace of Mind warranty, which includes a 25-Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty and a 10-Year John Moore warranty on the labor.
“I don’t know how many homes I’ve been in where the owners have spent thousands of dollars remodeling, and they left their homes’ original pipe, HVAC, or electrical system in place,” said John Moore Plumbing Department Service Manager Patrick Middleton. “Unfortunately, when a problem comes up, it often ruins a lot of their hard work and we have cut into their beautiful room to repair it. So many people love old homes and are interested in restoring them and making them look pretty. But if they don’t make sure that the inner workings of the home are good and solid before they begin the cosmetic work, they may be in for a rude awakening.”
If your home is over 15 years old, has galvanized pipes, or has a looped-slab copper system, contact Alfa Plumbing to discuss whether a whole-home repipe is right for you. Learn more about Repiping by visiting our Repiping FAQ page.
Professional Repiping
Never ask for amateurs to handle repiping a house, no matter the size of the job. Only professionals can have the work done fast and accurately. Even with a whole-house repiping job, professional plumbers will ensure there is as little disruption to home life as possible and little trace of the work is left behind.
If you want to know more about repiping in the Houston TX area, call Alfa Plumbing Services to have a talk with one of our licensed plumbers. They’ll help you find out if your house needs repiping and how much.
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