A whole-house repipe is when some or all of the plumbing pipes in your home are replaced, and here's what's involved.
You contact us or a licensed plumber to come to your home and perform a plumbing inspection.
We'll inspect your drain lines, water lines, vent pipes, and sewage pipes for damage, clogs, or wear and tear.
If only a few of your pipes need to be replaced, we'll keep the job minimal. However, if your entire system looks aged and damaged, we'll recommend installing a completely new one.
Repiping your system includes your indoor sewer lines, possibly your outdoor sewer lines, your vent pipes, water lines, and your drain lines.
Repiping a house is a lot of work, and it involves every part of your home. Typically, you'll have sewer, drain, water, and vent pipes in your basement, and water, drain, and vent pipes on your main floor. Essentially, anywhere you have a bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or any plumbing fixture, you'll have plumbing pipes.
Signs You Need to Repipe Your House
Just because you have an old house doesn't mean you need a repipe, but it can definitely be one of the causes. If you're curious what other clues to look for, here are a few signs you need a plumbing system repipe.
The Type of Pipes You Have
Plumbing systems and materials have come a long way in the past thirty years. Most newer houses will have plumbing systems with pipes made of pex, PVC, or copper. These materials are much more functional and long-lasting than the materials that were once used.
The biggest culprit when it comes to plumbing issues is when your drain pipes are made of steel or cast iron. These materials were once thought to be indestructible and perfect for plumbing. Unfortunately, they tend to rust, corrode, and break down from the inside out, which can lead to dirty water and clogged drain lines. Therefore, if your current plumbing system has a bunch of steel and cast iron, it might be time for a repipe.
Strange Noises From Your Pipes
If you hear strange gurgling or bubbling noises coming out of your drain lines, it's either time for a repipe or a drain cleaning service. Bubbling and gurgling noises mean there are clogs in your drain lines and water is struggling to get around them.
Bad Smells or Odors
Bad smells and odors coming out of your drain lines are a sure sign that there's a clog somewhere in your system. This can happen in either your drain lines, your vents, or your sewer lines. Unfortunately, it's tough to pinpoint the issues because all your pipes are connected.
Frequent Leaks and Issues
Finally, if you're constantly having to call a plumber to repair your pipes, it's time for a repipe. Tearing out old plumbing pipes and installing new ones is expensive and timely, but it's better than constant leaks, clogs, and issues.
What to Expect During the Repipe Process
Like we said before, repiping a house is a bit of a pain, but it might be worth it. Here's a bit of what's involved with the repipe process.
After you've had your plumbing inspection and confirmed that you need a whole house repipe, we'll get right to work.
We'll try to do the repipe one room or phase at a time so that you can keep your house livable and keep parts of your plumbing system operational.
However, it would be better if you had somewhere to stay during the repipe because the process will go faster and smoother.
Repiping a house involves removing drywall, and ceiling tiles, going into your attic and tearing up the flooring. There's going to be a lot of dirt, drywall, insulation, and debris lying around, and it isn't always possible to contain the mess.
One by one, we'll replace every single vent pipe, water line, drain line, and sewer pipe inside and outside your home.
It's a good idea to cover your furniture and carpeting with plastic or blankets to keep them from getting dirty or damaged.
Remove anything from the areas being worked on, both to protect them and to ensure the work keeps moving along.
Is Repiping a House Worth It?
While repiping a house is a ton of work and can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the size of your home, it's worth it. A house repipe will increase the value of your home, save money in future repairs, and get your plumbing system working as it should. Repipes are especially worth the work if your plumbing system is on the verge of a major leak or disaster.
Who to Call for Repiping Services
If you think it's time for a commercial or residential repipe,
contact us at 1-800-Plumber + Air. We have experience working with all manner of plumbing pipes and have the manpower and tools to tackle projects of all sizes. If you have nowhere to stay during the project, we can take things one room at a time and make sure your plumbing system is working each day before we leave. However, if you have somewhere to stay,
we'll move into your home and finish your project as quickly as possible.
