What You Need To Know About Repiping
When a plumber completely replaces your incoming water supply, that’s considered repiping. It’s more involved than changing small pipe sections or replace one or two lines; the entire plumbing system is overhauled.
Repiping has become more common as the old copper lines age out. The copper systems from years ago would usually last about 15 years. However, changes to our water, exposure to more acidic soil, and poorer-quality copper materials have contributed to more frequent repiping needs.
While replacing small pipe sections may seem beneficial, it only puts a bandage on a more substantial issue. Covering the problem by only treating the visible problem can lead to a pipe burst and internal flooding. The damages could rack up immensely without straightforward treatment.
Fully licensed plumbers can check your water system and help diagnose the issue. We will specify if you need repiping or if there is another solution.
Signs You May Need Repiping
You may notice a few sudden or continuing circumstances that indicate your need for repiping services in Pacifica, CA. Some include:
Constant Leaks
One or two leaks may not indicate the need for repiping your home. However, several or constantly appearing leaks could mean you would save money with an overall line upgrade. Many of these leaks occur in older buildings, where the piping has thinned over the years, causing several leaks to appear in tandem.
Poor Water Pressure
Leaks do not always appear immediately through wall wetting and damage. Sometimes, poor water pressure indicates a water leak in the plumbing system that insulation or dirt may be absorbing. Call on a fully licensed plumber to check your water system for leaks if your water does not flow as it should.
Bad Water Taste
The condition of the pipes affects the taste of the tap water. As pipes deteriorate, they pollute the water supply, causing a heavy or rancid taste and even illness. A plumber would likely find repiping necessary to protect your building and health.
A few other plumbing symptoms indicating repiping needs include:
- Extreme water temperature changes not caused by the water heater
- Noisy pipes or discolored water
- Visible pipe corrosion
Call on a fully licensed plumber to diagnose your system and help determine if you need repiping.
A New Piping Material To Consider
In the last 30 years, Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping has gained popularity due to its many beneficial qualities. Our plumbers have learned and now specialize in PEX piping in addition to the original copper piping installations.
PEX piping is both exceptionally durable and amazingly flexible. It can withstand hot and cold water and insulates against the elements even better than copper piping. Because it is relatively inexpensive to make, PEX pipes are less expensive to buy and install, decreasing repiping costs.
We understand that you may prefer copper piping for different reasons, so we still repipe with copper upon request. We may suggest PEX piping if your home or building is:
- Over a specific size, where copper piping would be more expensive than usual
- Older and requires other repairs
- Has incorrectly installed PEX piping
