Even the best copper pipes only last so long, and steel pipes have an even shorter lifespan. If your pipes are becoming rather old, then you might be thinking about having your home repiped. This is a big job, so it is a good idea to think through it and really analyze your options before you take the plunge. Here are some key things to think about.
Are you replacing the freshwater or wastewater pipes?
Homes have two sets of pipes. There's the set of pipes that carry fresh water into and through your home, and then there is the set of pipes that carry waste and wastewater out of your home. Sometimes, they all need to be replaced at once. Other times, you may only need to replace one set of pipes, which is, of course, less expensive and time-consuming. Before you agree to have your home repiped, make sure you know which piping systems your plumber is going to work on.
Will any walls need to be removed or altered to replace the pipes?
If plumbers can repipe a home without having to open up any walls, they will do so. But unfortunately, this is not usually possible. It's likely that your plumber will need to open up at least one wall to access and replace some pipes. Find out, beforehand, what wall or walls need to be opened up. This way, you can plan on moving furniture away from those walls. You may also want to make some plans for remodeling at the same time. For instance, if your outside kitchen wall needs to be opened up anyway, this might be a good chance to put some new shelves up on that wall or repaint your kitchen at the same time.
What kind of pipes will the plumber use?
Repiping your home is a good chance to switch to a different kind of pipe. The three most common options are copper, PVC, and PEX. Copper costs more, but it lasts a really long time. PVC is cheap and durable, but it can crack if frozen. PEX is easy to install, but it can have freeze-thaw issues, too. Discuss the pros and cons of each option with your plumber prior to repiping.
Ponder the information above when planning for repiping. If you have any additional quandaries, you should reach out to your plumber and their team. Contact a repiping service near you to learn more.
