Small, localized leaks can often be fixed with a simple repair to one part of your plumbing system. But if the issue is larger and more serious, the job may require a full repiping—or, a complete replacement of all the pipes in your home. How do you know if repiping is necessary? Here are some of the most common reasons.
If your home is over 50 and it’s never had its pipes replaced, there’s a good chance repiping should be done soon. That’s because homes of this age usually contain galvanized pipes which are known to burst and corrode when they get old.
To save money, you might try to weld or patch a leak or replace a single section of pipe. But while this is an okay short-term solution, be aware that your patched pipe could be signaling other problems in your plumbing system. To avoid a major issue down the road, repiping will give you peace of mind and prevent future, potentially larger, leaks.
If your water pressure seems to be lower than it used to be, it could mean your pipes contain rust or mineral buildup. Noticeable buildup takes many years to accumulate, so it’s usually a good sign that your pipes are getting old and will need to be replaced soon.
When rust forms in your pipes, it can go into your home’s water supply and turn your tap water a reddish or brown color. If this happens, repiping is necessary to restore your water to a healthy level again.
Like discolored water, bad-tasting or bed-smelling water is unappealing and potentially unsafe. If you’re not certain that your tap water is safe to drink anymore, it’s best to have the Uponor Pro Squad take a look. Most likely, the smell or taste is due to the breakdown of your pipes.
Other than water trickling and the occasional creak, your pipes should not make any unusual noises—especially not loud ones of any kind. If your pipes are rattling, clanking, or banging, it’s a pretty sure sign of a larger problem. If this is the case, call Uponor Pro Squad to have your pipes inspected as soon as possible.
If you have a house built in or around the early 1920s, its pipes are probably made of lead and/or polybutylene. These materials are dangerous and should be replaced immediately. Lead seeps into your drinking water and can cause serious health problems. Polybutylene, on the other hand, is highly prone to breaking and leaking, and it’s usually only a matter of time before a serious issue will arise.
If your shower quickly changes from icy cold to burning hot, corroded materials may have broken off inside your pipe and jammed the anti-scald device or the valve regulating your water temperature. Replacing your pipes should fix this issue.
If you see stains, discoloration, flaking, small indentations, or rust on your pipes, it means they’re corroding. Corroding pipes are more likely to leak (if they haven’t already) and should be replaced as quickly as possible.
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