Nothing lasts forever…not even your plumbing pipes. Sooner or later, there comes a time when you will need to repipe the plumbing in your home. Your aged plumbing system may be causing contaminated water, or maybe it’s sprung a leak or two. Whatever the case may be, plumbing installation and replacements can be a huge undertaking, so you want to make sure that the time is right! Learn when it’s the right time for a replacement by reading our tips.
How Old is Your Plumbing?
The main consideration as to whether or not you should repipe your home is the age of your current plumbing system. Although freshwater pipes and sewage drains are made from some of the most durable materials available, they can still wear down over time and expose your home to potential plumbing issues, especially in Florida. Plus, homes that were built before the 1970s may contain hazardous plumbing materials — more on that below.
To ensure that your plumbing is not inefficient or reaching the end of its lifespan, you’ll need to know the last time your home was repiped (if ever) and compare that to the average life expectancy of the piping materials.
- Brass Pipes: 40-70 years
- Copper Pipes: ~50 years
- Galvanized Steel Pipes: 20-50 years
- Cast Iron Drain Lines: 40-50 years
- PVC Drain Pipes: Indefinitely!
Are Any Current Pipes Made of Hazardous Materials?
Some families may need to repipe their homes even if the current water supply and sewer lines seem to be in great condition. Homes that were built prior to the 1970s often used pipes made of hazardous materials, particularly lead and polybutylene. In fact, lead pipes were installed even as late as the 1990s. Although these pipes have a life expectancy of around 50 years or, in some cases, a bit longer, they can leak toxic materials into your drinking water and put your family’s health at risk. If you don’t know what material your pipes are made of, just ask your trusted Joe Cool plumber during your next plumbing service or inspection.
How Frequently Do You Experience Plumbing Issues?
As an essential part of your home, a plumbing system that’s not working properly can be quite frustrating to deal with and difficult to repair. Annual maintenance of your plumbing system’s health is absolutely necessary to ensure proper function and safety. An annual whole home plumbing evaluation is the most efficient way to do most of your plumbing maintenance in one appointment. We’re not talking about just a yearly drain cleaning, which is pretty standard among Pinellas County homes. We’re talking about testing the water quality for contaminants, water heater maintenance, as well as ensuring that there are no pipes with multiple leaks, low water pressure, or water discoloration. If you see any of these red flags, then you’re looking at a good indicator that something is wrong with your plumbing. Maybe you won’t need to repipe your whole home, but you may need a pipe replacement or jet washing service.
At the end of the day, you won’t know for sure if your home’s plumbing system needs to be replaced and upgraded until you get a professional plumber’s opinion. Contact Joe Cool Home Services, a leading home plumbing services in Pinellas County, for an expert inspection and recommendation today!