If you have an older home, you’re struggling with plumbing problems, or you’re looking to expand or remodel, this is a great time to consider repiping your home. This renovation is a major project, but once finished, you have new and upgraded pipes to last for decades.

How do you know when it’s time to repipe? Find out more about repiping and the signs you should invest in new pipes, as well as what you can expect from this renovation.

What Does It Mean to Repipe a Home?

Repiping your home is a process that replaces the old plumbing system with a new plumbing system to upgrade it or reduce repairs and issues. Some homeowners upgrade the pipes when they age, while others choose to upgrade when they have a remodel.

When Would a Homeowner Need to Repipe a Home?

Performing a full repiping of your home is a big investment and something that should be done when the time is right. Here are some signs that it may be time to upgrade your plumbing:

Your Home Has Lead Pipes or Galvanized Steel Pipes

Many older homes have galvanized steel pipes, which were common in homes in the 1940s. You may also see them in homes from the 1950s or 1960s. This material is durable, but it’s prone to corrosion. Over time, the corrosion builds up and sediment can leak into the water or restrict the flow of water in your pipes.

Much older homes that were constructed 100 or more years ago may have lead pipes, which is a bigger concern. This material was common for the time, but later research revealed that lead can be hazardous to human health if it leaches into the water supply. Your older home may have had an update to the lead pipes, but it’s crucial to check.

No Matter How Many Times You Fix Your Pipes, They’re Still Broken

If you have leaks or other major plumbing problems that are costing a lot to repair, it may be a better use of your time and money to repipe your home. This will not only correct your problems and save you money on repairs, but it gives you a new system that you can count on for decades.

If Your Home Was Built 50+ Years Ago

Homes built in the 1960s or earlier are prime candidates for repiping. These pipes are often constructed of cast iron or galvanized steel, which can corrode. A home with regular water usage over 50 or 60 years only increases the wear and tear on pipes, so it’s good to check and see if it’s time to replace them.

You’re Remodeling Your Home

Looking to remodel or expand your bathroom or kitchen? Now may be the time to repipe your whole home. When you install new pipes, you could have problems where the new system connects to the old one. If you’re doing a renovation anyway, replacing the entire plumbing system is a practical investment.

Before You Start – Get an Inspection and Estimate

You will need to bring in a plumber to perform an inspection and provide you with an estimate for the work. It’s best to speak to a few plumbers and get some estimates to evaluate your options and find the right fit.

What to Expect During the Repipe Process

Choosing to repipe your home is a big project and investment that will mean installing new hot and cold pipes, as well as additional plumbing fixtures or pipes like wastewater drainage. Here’s what you can expect from the process:

Preparations

Before repiping can begin, you will need to cover all of your furniture and items in your home to prevent damage, dirt, or water from getting on them. During this time, your water may be shut off for some periods, so you may not have use of your shower or sink. If being without running water is a concern, speak with your plumber about the water shutoff to minimize the disruption to your daily routine.

Plumbers Need Access

Installing new pipes requires the plumber cut into the wall to access the pipes. You will need to move furniture and wall hangings out of the way to ensure your plumber has access to the walls and room to work safely and comfortably.

How Long Does the Process Take?

A complete repiping can take between two or three days and a week, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of the plumbing system. You won’t be without water this whole time, since you’ll have access to the old pipes while the new ones are being installed. You will only be without water when the plumber is changing over the system, so you can prepare for that time period by discussing it in advance.

Permitting

You will need a work permit to repipe your home, just like other major home renovations. Permits should be obtained after the initial work is complete.

Inspection and Finishing

Your new plumbing system will need an inspection after the plumber finishes the installation. Once the inspector signs the permit, the plumber can patch and repaint the drywall to get your home looking like new again.

Considering repiping your home? Contact us at Proskill to schedule a consultation!