Your home’s plumbing is critical for maintaining a safe, healthy indoor environment. Even when you regularly maintain your pipes and fixtures, they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. How often you might need to repipe your home depends on several factors, including the age of your pipes, the piping material used, your family’s usage patterns, and your water quality. Here is some information from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Miami, Florida about when to repipe your home.
Factors That Affect When to Repipe Your Home
The factors that affect when it might be time to repipe your home include:
1. Age of Your Pipes
If you live in an older home with original plumbing infrastructure, the pipes might need to be replaced. While plumbing pipes are durable, they weaken with age and can rust, deteriorate, and leak. If your home is 50 or more years old, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional plumbing inspection.
2. Plumbing Pipe Material
Materials used for plumbing pipes have changed over the decades. Older homes might have cast iron pipes made during the early part of the 20th century. Some pipe systems are lined with mortar, and others contain lead and other contaminants that can be hazardous to your health.
Common pipe materials can be expected to have the following average lifespans if they have been well-maintained:
- Cast-iron pipes – 75 to 100 years
- Galvanized steel pipes – 20 to 50 years
- Copper pipes – 50 to 70 years
- Brass pipes – 40 to 70 years
- PVC, PEX, or CVPC pipes – Indefinitely
- Kitek piping – 10 to 20 years; has been recalled
Even if you know the materials your pipes are made from, other factors can cause your pipes to deteriorate and fail much earlier.
3. Water Usage Patterns
Households that use a lot of water might experience more plumbing issues and have to repipe their homes earlier. A pattern of heavy water use can strain your pipes and cause them to deteriorate faster.
4. Water Quality
If you have hard water, it can leave mineral deposits in your pipes. These deposits can build up and cause corrosion and rust over time. Acidic water can also accelerate pipe corrosion.
Signs Your Home Might Need Repiping
The following signs indicate you should call a plumber to learn whether you need to repipe your home:
- Discolored, rusty water – This happens when pipes corrode or rust and can be a health hazard.
- Pinhole or slab leaks – If you notice multiple leaks above or below your home’s foundation, they can cause extensive damage and should be addressed promptly.
- Low water pressure – Low water pressure from fixtures throughout your home indicates pipe blockages, mineral buildup, or other problems that may require repiping.
- Kitec piping – Kitec pipes were used in homes from 1995 to 2007 because the material was flexible and believed to be an alternative to copper, but Kitec pipes are prone to bursting and have been recalled, leading to significant litigation and settlement.
- Strange sounds – Strange noises such as gurgling or banging that emanate from your pipes can indicate blockages or deterioration that requires repiping.
What Is Involved With Repiping?
Repiping your home involves the following steps:
1. Professional Inspection
A licensed plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will assess your pipes and their condition. They will identify issues and develop a plan with you for the project.
2. Choosing Pipes
Your plumber will explain various pipe materials and the factors that might influence which is best for you and your budget. Your choice will be affected by the building codes, durability, your home’s water quality, and cost.
3. Signing a Contract
Based on the assessment and the pipe materials you choose, your plumber will draw up a detailed contract that includes information about the project’s duration, supplies, costs, and other project details. Carefully review the contract, and ask questions if you have them before you sign.
4. Preparing
Before beginning the work, your plumber will shut off the water supply to your home. They will also remove fixtures and open walls to access the plumbing based on your home’s layout. They will also access outdoor pipes, which might involve some excavation work.
5. Installation and Testing
Your plumber will remove your old pipes and install the new ones. Once installation is complete, they will test your plumbing to ensure it is functioning optimally.
Contact a Licensed Plumber
Repiping your home is a major project, but it can protect your family’s health and cut down on frequent plumbing repairs. The experienced team of licensed plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Miami can assess the condition of your pipes and help you determine whether it’s time to repipe your home. Call us today to schedule an appointment at (786) 894-1576.