What does Repiping mean?

Is repiping necessary?

What is repiping and what does repiping mean, it sounds like a lot of work! Yes, whole house repiping is a lot of work, and it isn’t cheap, but the whole house repiping benefits can make it worthwhile when you live in an older home. Let’s discus what whole house repiping is and then we’ll answer some frequently asked questions to give you a better idea. The process of whole house repiping is the removal of all the cold and hot water piping throughout an entire home and install new piping. This isn’t a weekend project for a DIY homeowner though, it should only be done by an experienced, licensed plumber.

Most of the time, a water leak is a simple repair in one area. Sometimes though, a house is having some serious plumbing problems that requires all of the pipes to be replaced, aka, whole house repiping. The common reasons that whole house repiping is necessary:

• An Older Home – a home that is 50 years old and older that has never had any plumbing replaced will probably have galvanized pipes. As these pipes age, they corrode and can begin to burst without warning.

• Low Water Pressure – If the water pressure in every faucet has slowed down, the pipe could have mineral build up or rusted. This takes time to happen, and whole house repiping is the only cure.

• Brown or Red Water – Some types of water pipes will rust over time and that rust breaks off into the water supply, turning the tap water a brown or reddish color. A whole house repiping is the only solution, especially if the water quality is poor, it may be needed again in the distant future.

• Multiple Pipe Leaks – Isolated water pipe leaks are to be expected, but when they become a common occurrence, a whole house repiping maybe in your budget’s best interest.

When should I repipe my house?

There isn’t a timetable for the exact whole house repiping job to be done, but if your home is fifty years old, you may want to start looking for some indications that the time is sooner than later. Those indications are:

1. Aged Pipes Unsafe

There are many factors that can affect the plumbing pipes in a home, col weather is harsh on water pipes and everyday wear and tear an take a toll on water pipes too.

Homes that are 50 years old or older are made from lead and other unsafe materials. A whole house repiping will get rid of those health risk pipes and your family may start feeling better. Older home piping often starts banging and clanging too, which should have a plumber inspect them. If repair is possible, great, but if the plumber recommends whole house repiping, give it thorough consideration.

2. Leaking Pipes

A leaking water, without saying it, either needs immediate repair or replacement. Go with the repair, but if another leak happens in the same area or close to it, whole house repiping may be necessary.

3. Visible Corrosion

If you corrosion, discoloring, flaking, rust, or stains on your plumbing, they are just waiting to spring a leak. Corroded pipes should never be repaired, replacement is the safest thing you can do and if you have a lot of corroded water pipes, give your plumber a call for quote on whole house repiping.

4. Water Pressure Low

There are many reasons why you may have low water pressure in your home, but corrosion and sediment are two of the biggest reason. These block the pipes interior and cuts the water flow down. You may notice the dishwasher is slow to proceed, the washing machine slow to fill, etc. These are indications that a whole house repiping is needed.

5. Discolored Water

When the water is coming out of the faucets and spigots is brown, red, or yellow, your plumbing pipes are rusted on the inside. This is water you’re bathing in, cooking with , and drinking. A whole house repiping will get clean, healthy water coming through your home.

6. Smells or Tastes Bad

If the drinking water smells or taste bad, the plumbing is wearing out, probably corroded and rusty on the inside. Call your plumber and talk about whole house repiping.

What does a repipe include?

Whole house repiping is either a partial or complete plumbing redo job. From each bathroom to the kitchen to the laundry room, all new plumbing pipes are installed after taking the old ones out.

Some of the drywall may need to be cut out for the plumbers to get the piping behind the walls. An experienced, professional plumber will repair the walls after the repiping is completed. A whole house repiping time can be just a few hours to a few weeks. It depends on the size of the house and the size of the crew. For homes in cold weather zones, whole house repiping should be done in the spring or summer.

Is Repiping covered by insurance? The common answer is no, but as with anything else you may want to file on your homeowner’s insurance, review your policy or call your agent. Whole house repiping is considered preventative measures by the homeowner and should be paid by you. What your insurance will cover is for repairs needed by damage from water pipes that have corroded or fell through. With the information we’ve covered, you can see the many benefits for a whole house repiping job. For whole house repiping, disadvantages are short: The cost and the temporary inconvenience. When you consider all the benefits, those two disadvantages don’t measure up! Call 707-446-1800 today for help with your repiping needs in Vacaville, CA.