Let’s face it, the pipes in your home may not be something you think about on a regular basis, but they are incredibly important. Consider it this way: if your house was a body, then the pipes are like the circulatory system. Even though they are part of the hardest-working system in your home, they can sometimes be neglected by accident. Age, usage, and more can affect the usefulness of your pipes, and eventually, all pipes need to be replaced and updated. At Loyalty Plumbing, located right here in Houston, we will gladly help you repipe your home. We’ve also pulled together this list of ideas for repiping your home, and when you should do so.
Repiping your home can be a necessity in some circumstances. If you’ve never upgraded your pipes and your home was built before 1970, that is one such instance. Another is if your home uses lead pipes. Those need to go immediately for the health and safety of your family. Galvanized steel pipes also should be replaced, as they are prone to rust and corrosion.
Some signs to watch out for that your home needs to be repiped can include yellow, red, or brown-tinged water, low water pressure, and clanging coming from the pipes.
Now onto the ideas for repiping your home. To start, we want to remind you that unless you have plumbing experience you SHOULD NOT attempt to repipe your home yourself. Let one of our professionals at Loyalty Plumbing help you out.
- Get an estimate. That should always be step one for any big home project. A professional will be able to do an inspection and give you an idea of what to expect as far as the amount of work and the cost. Keep in mind that the cost will vary widely with the size and scope of the job as well as the type of pipes you upgrade to.
- If you are already doing a remodel on your home, you might as well get your pipes upgraded at the same time. That way you can knock out two things at once, meaning you’ll only need to open up your walls and floors once. Very helpful when it comes to saving yourself time.
- Regarding the pipe type you decide to upgrade to: be sure to do your research to find what will be the best for your home. Copper pipes are the most expensive and need to be insulated, but they will also last the longest and have a proven track record of quality. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipes (CPVC pipes) are less expensive than copper and better for resisting acidity, but they can crack if your area is prone to earthquakes. Cross-linked polyethylene pipes (PEX pipes) are the newest type of environmentally friendly pipes used in repiping. They are less expensive than CPVC pipes and are a more flexible material, but as they are newer this means that there are many aspects that we don’t know as much about as far as how long or how well they will last.
- If you’re already committed to doing a piping upgrade, you might as well consider doing a few other plumbing upgrades while you’re at it. You could invest in a tankless water heater, low-flow fixtures, smart water shutoff, and other things that will help extend the life of your new pipes.
- Finally, finding the right plumber for this major job. You will want to find a plumber that is licensed, insured, and bonded. This way you know you will be getting a qualified professional. You will also want to look for someone with great reviews and a solid amount of experience. All of our plumbers here at Loyalty Plumbing are qualified pros and are ready to help with your repiping project whenever you are ready to make that leap.
Making the choice to repipe your home is a big one, and will not be cheap, but it is a worthwhile investment to make for the longevity and safety of your home’s plumbing. We hope this article has given you some ideas of when to make that move and what to expect to consider during the repipe process.
