Pipes do not last forever. In older homes, the original water lines can be at the end of their useful life even when nothing has failed yet. Here is how we help homeowners decide between a repair and a repipe.
Know what your pipes are made of
- Galvanized steel was common in homes built before the 1960s. It corrodes from the inside, which narrows the pipe and lowers water pressure over time.
- Polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe used from roughly the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, is known for sudden failures.
- Copper generally lasts much longer, though it can develop pinhole leaks.
Signs it may be time to repipe
- Leaks that keep showing up in different places
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- Brown or discolored water, especially first thing in the morning
- Visible rust or corrosion on exposed pipes
Repair or repipe?
A single leak in otherwise healthy pipe is usually a straightforward repair. When leaks keep coming back or the whole system is aging galvanized or polybutylene line, repiping often costs less over the long run than repeated repairs and water damage.
What to expect from us
We start by inspecting your pipes and explaining what we find in plain language. If repiping makes sense, we plan the job to keep wall openings small, protect your belongings and restore your water as quickly as possible. You get a flat price before we begin.
