The Name You Trust for your
RE-PIPING

How to Know You Need Repiping

There are a few telltale signs that your pipes need to be replaced, such as:

Age

This is factoring in the age of both your home and the piping system. Pipes are made out of different materials with different lifespans. When you purchase a home, you should know exactly when it was built, when the piping was last updated, if ever, and what sort of materials are used for the piping.

Pipes are a lot like people. When they get older than 50 years, you really need to be on the lookout for any possible health problems. Things can seem okay on the surface, but a keen eye can catch some of the additional warning signs.

Lack of Water Pressure

It's hard to miss when your shower isn't giving off nearly as much water as it used to - even when you have it turned on all the way. A sharp decline in water pressure is a good sign that there's something very wrong with your pipes.

Your pipes could be corroded and unable to provide the proper levels of water. There could also be sediment caked inside. Corrosion is another strong indicator that your pipes are too old. Look up the lifespan for your pipes and compare it to the age of your home.

Leaking Pipes

If you catch a single leak from one of your pipes, you can chalk it up to a fluke, potentially. However, when you keep finding and trying to suppress them, it's about time you call a repipes company, such as 1-800-Plumber +Air.

You won't necessarily have to replace your entire piping system. A 1-800 Plumber +Air technician will study your leaks and determine how much repiping you need. We can replace older and outdated pipe materials, like lead, with far better ones.

Bad-Looking/Tasting Water

Look at your water every time you turn on the faucet. If it's not clear, there could be something up with your pipes. Rusted pipes can cause discoloration, which can seep into your water. It might not pose a risk to your health, but definitely indicates a risk to your home.

You may also notice that your drinking water is tasting rather foul. Corroded pipes can cause this, as can the phenomena of "hard water." A bad odor can also accompany the bad taste.

Cracking Pipes

You probably wouldn't think to take a close look at your pipes unless it was clear there was something wrong with them and your water. When you do, you might see some prominent cracks. At this point, there should be no question that you need a repipes company's help.

Perform routine inspections on your pipes. Look at your pipes once a month and notice if there are any cracks or stains. It's a very easy process that could save you from the heartache and headache of dealing with a burst pipe.

Repipe or Repair?

There are times when it might make more sense to just repair your current pipes rather than repiping entirely. These are some of the things you need to take into consideration when weighing your options:

Severity of Damage

Your pipes shouldn't be replaced just because you're dealing with a few, minor frustrations. It would be absurd to take out any significant portion of your pipes due to a leak or mild decrease in water pressure. Repipes in Indianapolis can cost up to $15,000. Is it that urgent, or can you stick with having your pipes merely repaired?

However, your pipes could be compromised to the point of needing immediate replacement. The combined costs of continued repairs could eat into your budget far more than repiping one. A quality Indianapolis repiping company, such as 1-800 Plumber +Air of Indianapolis, will give you the honest truth about when you should repipe.

Materials

There are two materials to look out for when it comes to piping: lead and polybutylene. We don't have time for a complete chemistry lesson, but suffice to say, neither has any place in your home.

Lead pipes can lead to lead poisoning. When these pipes start corroding, they can contaminate your drinking water. The CDC advises you to use a filter or flush the water by running water-consuming appliances before drinking. However, that can be a lot to keep track of. A much better solution is to get rid of your lead piping system entirely.

Polybutylene isn't as well-known, but it was quite prolific in homes between the late-70s and mid-90s. Made of a kind of plastic, they were marketed as being durable but ended up being anything but. A $1 billion lawsuit brought about the end of their production. However, there's a chance your home still contains PB piping.

Age

Factoring the age of your pipes works both ways. If they're more than 60 years old, you should certainly schedule a repiping. Even if they're still holding together, waiting any longer could be a matter of tempting fate.

On the other hand, newer pipes might need some attention and modification, but not outright replacement. "Newer" is relative in this case. Your pipes could be 20 years old - no spring chicken - and benefit from some simple repairs.