Whole House Repipe

A whole house repipe is perhaps one of the biggest, most terrifying household repair project for homeowners.

The fact is that it’s overwhelming for a whole lot of people to think about potential home plumbing problems.

We fear what we may find when we look, so we just don’t. Meanwhile, an otherwise little problem turns out to be a much bigger one.

However, before you can determine if it’s the right time to do a plumbing repipe, you first of all need to know why pipe replacement is necessary.

As much as you don’t want to keep using corroded pipes, you also don’t want to change out pipes which are in perfect condition because of something which could more easily have been done. Hence, we are giving you a breakdown of the workings of pipe replacement.

Whole House Repipe: Why Pipes Wear Out

Although pipes last for quite a long time, we haven’t found a way to make them last endlessly…yet! Worn-out or aged pipes can negatively affect your entire plumbing system.

Your water pressure can be affected by blockages or corrosion deep within your pipes which reduces the velocity of water flow. Thus, the efficiency of your water-based appliances can be greatly reduced and clogs formed.

Mineral or scale buildup or corrosion can occur within the walls of aged pipes, making it difficult for water to get through. This will ultimately cause full clogs while increasing your water bill.

With a most sever block, the pressure within the pipes could rise and cause a tear or rupture, or even cause them to burst. It can be frustrating to replace corroded pipes.

More so, replacing insulation, drywall, ceilings, and flooring that are damaged by water.

If your pipe’s walls have become unreliable, heavy metals or other harmful minerals which may be dislodged from the plumbing system could leak into your water supply. This in turn could cause damage to appliances and hinder cleaning effectiveness, as well as being harmful to drink.

This should be of particular concern if your home is an older one. Pipes installed before 1980 may have lead components which are proven to cause harm.

If you suspect this is the case with your pipes, confirm that as soon as possible and be ready to change them out. As it turns out, lead is really bad for your body so you’ll need to have your pipes replaced quickly.

Whole House Repipe: How Pipes Wear Out

Your plumbing system is required to move a huge volume of water through narrow openings, and this involves a lot of pressure and energy, which in turn puts much tension on your pipe’s inner walls.

Over a long period, the force repeatedly created by the fast-moving water is exerted on the pipes.

Home pipes are typically made of metal for its durability and lasting features. However, metal is also prone to the exchange of electromechanical electrons.

As water containing or goes through heavy metals, it carries its ionic charge different from that of your metal pipes. This causes a strain on the pipe’s inner walls as the water flows through, and wears them down.

And if you don’t have metal pipes, water also has several other properties which might cause your pipes to wear out.

Water purifying chemicals can occasionally have a pH value which conflicts with your pipes, producing an acidic element in the water which is tough on the pipe walls.

Hard water and hot water also have corrosive properties.

Hard water consists of minerals which grind away on pipe walls, while hot water is tougher on metals.

Also, if your water contains high levels of salt, the salt crystals can grind on the insides of your pipe walls and cause them to wear out over time.

Deposits of salt and minerals from hard water can also build up on the pipes, resulting in clogs and corrosion.

Whole House Repipe: Are Your Pipes Are Corroded?

The good news is that it’s hard not to notice corrosion on your pipes. Widespread corrosion will turn the color of your water rusty.

It will also have a metallic taste (we recommend you don’t drink it) and may sometimes have visible flecks in it. That’s just nasty!

The bad news, however, is if the corrosion on your pipes are to such an extent then there’s problems. If even one pipe is that corroded, it is likely that your entire plumbing system is either old or somehow compromised.

When such nasty brown water is noticed, we usually recommend a complete inspection of the plumbing system at least, together with a full pipe replacement service.

And if your pipes aren’t corroded to this extent, it can be even trickier to determine their corrosion level in order to know if replacement is needed. In any case, you should troubleshoot.

Consider these:

• Do you feel your toilets and drains are having more clogs than normal?
• Is the pressure of your water inconsistently low, and is it getting worse?
• Have you tried to solve your plumbing issues at their sources and seen limited success?
• Do you feel like your water bill is getting much higher than the amount of water you have been consuming?
• Do your pipes leak much often?

If your pipes leak or clog up much, or the water pressure continually worsens despite your effort, then that pretty much means your pipes are corroded.

If you still aren’t sure, then you can always call on an expert. We know how to get your pipes to talk. What? Not torture, but with cameras and other stuff.

Whole House Repipe: What Should You Do If Your Pipes Are Worn Out?

Contact a plumber. With our consultations you’ll be able to know how old your pipes are, what material they’re made of, and how they’re doing.

The great thing is that most times a plumber can solve piping issues in much easier ways.

If we determine that your pipes need a full or partial replacement, don’t worry! You have good options. Our experts will help determine the best cost-effective solution for you.

To successfully replace your pipes, we will figure out what the problem was and make sure it never reoccurs.

Next, we get to know what you require from your pipes, and also your concerns and budget. What are the likely risks to your home? What does your water contain?

With all these information, we are able to determine a piping system which is optimally tailored to your home.

If you have problems with your pipes, or you’re simply worried that your pipes are old or unsafe, contact us today. After consulting once with us, you’ll be able to tell so much about your pipes in order to feel secure and in control.

Up next is our post on Copper Pipe Replacement.