5 Signs You Need to Repipe Your House

Plumbing pipes in your home are comprised of two different types of pipes: water supply pipes and drain-waste-vent pipes. Water supply lines bring water into your home, first passing through the meter and then divided into cold water and hot water that will go into your water heater before coming to your faucet. Drain-waste-vent-pipes remove water and sewage from your sinks, showers, tubs, appliances, and toilets. If clean water is flowing from your pipes, you have probably not given much time to thinking about this system running through your home. These pipes should last for decades, but when they need to be replaced you shouldn’t wait. There are signs to look for that may signal that there may be trouble in your plumbing system.

Here are 5 top signs that you may need to repipe your home.

1.  Water Discoloration

If the water coming into your home is yellow, red, or brown, this is a definite red flag. Having discolored water coming straight from your pipes is a symptom of built-up rust in the pipes. If only your hot water has the discoloration, your water heater is probably the culprit.  

2.  Bad Tasting Water

Anytime you are running water, and it smells bad, this indicates a problem with your pipes. 

3.  Aged Pipes

How old is your home? Older houses are usually the same age as their pipes. Those pipes that are over 50 years old are most likely ready to be replaced. Lead pipes are a cause for concern no matter the age. If you have lines made of polybutylene, it is a good idea to check them quarterly. Homes built in the 1920’s have plumbing systems that were piped with lead and polybutylene pipes. Homes built in the 1970’s usually contain galvanized steel pipes. These often erode at a faster rate than other materials.   

Quick tip: Brass and galvanized steel supply pipes typically last 80 to 100 years, while copper can last anywhere from 70 to 80 years. Cast-iron drain lines will usually survive 80 to 100 years, and those made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are typically good for 25 to 40 years. 

4.  Leaking Pipes

Lead and polybutylene pipes are susceptible to leaks. Water coming from lead pipes can cause serious health issues. While condensation on hot water pipes, leaking pipes are a severe problem. A simple repair could do the trick, but more costly repairs could be on the horizon. Checking the conditions of the lines at this time could save you money in the long run.

5.  Corroded Pipes

Rust and corrosion are evident when you see stains, flaking, and discoloration. If your pipes are rusty and corroded, it is a good idea to replace them due to the lines’ questionable integrity. When you have a buildup of sediment in your pipes, you will often have low water pressure.  

What to Expect From a Repiping

Once you’ve identified the signs that you need to have your home repiped, you may wonder what this entails. This repair could take a few hours or a week, depending on your home’s size and the severity of the repair or repipe. Costs vary from $1,00 to $3,000 for repiping just one fixture, like the toilet or the tub. To repipe your entire home, the costs will range between $8,000 and $20,000. Having your home repiped helps to get your house up to market value when putting it on the market. 

South West Plumbing delivers quality expertise on home plumbing and repiping, and we proud to use UPONOR AquaPEX plumbing products. These superior piping products use cross-linked polyethylene that provides outstanding flexibility, durability, and reasonable costs.  

Plumbing systems in disrepair can cause stress, damage your family’s health, and bring down the value of your home. If you suspect problems in your plumbing system, call South West Plumbing, our team of certified plumbers have helped homeowners in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and the surrounding areas for over forty years.

Call us to schedule your repair or comprehensive plumbing inspection; we even offer weekend appointments to work with your busy schedule.