Most modern plumbing pipes last for decades, so you can generally make do with repairs rather than replacement if your home has been built during the last 20 years. However, the older your home, the more the chance will be that you have to replace all of your pipes.
Reasons to Replace Your Pipes
Houses from the turn of the 20th century up until about 1950 used lead pipes. While they last longer than almost any other pipes, they can poison you over time. In the 1970s, builders used polytubelene pipes, and these are prone to breakage. Iron pipes can eventually rust and become weak. Copper pipes are prone to pitting corrosion, often resulting in slow leaks that are tough to detect. The first indication is usually a ballooning water bill.
It’s best to replace pipes that are still sound but haven’t created a disaster yet. Generally, a repiping job will cost between about $4,000 and $10,000 if there is no disaster to fix. Depending on the nature of the problems that could occur when your pipes burst, it could cost between three and five times that. So, replacing early is the best strategy.
When You Can Do Repairs Instead
If just one pipe is problematic, then it’s possible to isolate the section that needs fixing and do a small repair that costs a fraction of replacement. Given that cast-iron pipes last from 70-100 years, you won’t have to replace them very often. New pipes that are roughly 20 years old or younger can usually be repaired instead of replaced.
Signs of Trouble
Rusty water is an easy one to spot. Rust equals pipe decay if you have metallic pipes. Indications of corrosion include dimpling, flaking, stains, and weird colors. One pipe with any of these signs isn’t that big a deal, but multiple pipes with these could indicate that a plumbing system failure is imminent. A big change in your water bill also shows a problem. If you have hard water, then even a big drop in your water bill could show a problem because of pipes clogged with calcium deposits.
Our Advantages
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we have the right kind of experience and know-how to be able to advise you on your piping and whether or not a repair or replacement is better for your home. The Better Business Bureau trusts us with both full accreditation and an A+ rating, so you can trust us too. Call us at the office today to set up an appointment.