As a homeowner dealing with plumbing issues from time to time is inevitable. A majority of the time, a simple repair suffices. However, there are times when repiping the entire home is the only lasting solution. Repiping requires significant time and money investment. It is, therefore, necessary to understand when it is the best option. Here is how you know that your house is due for a re-pipe:
- You want to remodel and change the bathroom and other plumbing fixtures. Renovations are the perfect time to repipe without using up too much time and money.
- You always have plumbing issues. If you are always looking for a plumber to solve one problem or the next, you may need a new system to do away with the frequent repairs.
- You have lead pipes. Back in the day, lead pipes were the norm. Over time, it has become clear that lead poses considerable potential health risks. Repiping your home is necessary to get rid of the pipes and replace them with safer ones.
Image by Steve Buissinne
What happens in repiping?
Repiping your entire home is a costly and labor-intensive task. It is best to have a specialist assess the situation to pinpoint all the issues they need to address. During the inspection, a plumber will arrive at the best solutions for your home and come up with a cost estimate. An experienced plumber should be able to look at the age and situation of your plumbing systems and decide if you need a complete repipe or if it is enough to repipe a single section. If the issues are extensive and call for a whole house repair, the plumber may need a work permit from the local government to proceed with the project.
Also, the plumber will decide on the best materials to use in your home. Several materials are available in the market, like PEX which offers a range of advantages. PEX pipes are lightweight and flexible, making it easy to insert them into existing pathways. And seeing that they are easy to install, the work can take place in a shorter time. It helps that the materials are also more affordable and do not corrode.
The plumbers should take care of your belongings by covering the surfaces in plastic. With the proper tools, a professional plumber should be able to locate the exact location of the pipes behind your walls. They will then cut holes through the drywall to access them. They will then install the new piping system and patch up the drywall. They will finish by repainting the walls and restoring the home to its previous condition.
How long will it take?
Repiping an entire home depends on the size of your house. Generally, it should take anywhere between a few days to a week. You need not worry that you will not have water during the construction phase. The plumbers usually install the new systems alongside the old ones. You will notice the difference in your plumbing system immediately after the plumbers complete the work. Your water will flow smoothly through pipes and have better pressure. It will also taste better since it does not need to pass through corroded pipes anymore.
Wrapping Up
Repiping a house may seem intimidating because of the time and money that goes into the project. However, sometimes it is the best solution for your plumbing woes. Working with a professional plumber will make the whole experience more stress-free. And you will be sure that the new plumbing system will last you ages.
