When should I replace my old plumbing

Plumbing Repairs And Replacements

Your plumbing might need repair or replacement if your home is old. The plumbing pipes in your home can corrode, rust, and break down. This could likely be due to exposure to the elements and other internal or external factors. If you are wondering when you must replace your old plumbing, this post will answer that question.

Furthermore, you will get to know the types of plumbing pipes and signs of lousy plumbing systems. In addition, you will learn how to perform pipe replacements and the cost of replacing pipes. We will list home maintenance tips and services to expect from professional plumbers to cap it off.

Types Of Plumbing Pipes

The type of plumbing pipes you have determines how long they last. Also, you get a clue as to the plumbing materials they are made of. A trusted plumber can quickly inspect and tell you what kind of pipes you have. The following are some standard pipes and their expected lifespans.

Supply Pipes

This category includes pipes made of materials such as brass, galvanised steel, and copper. They last reasonably long but also suffer rust and corrosion over time. Their expected lifespans are as follows:

• Brass: This material lasts between 80 and 100 years.
• Copper: Copper piping can last between 70 and 80 years. Although these pipes are highly resistant to corrosion, they weaken over time.
• Galvanised steel: Galvanised piping can last between 80 and 100 years.
• PEX (polyethylene tubing) can last between 25 and 40 years.

Drain Lines

Beneath drain lines, you will find plumbing pipes made of cast iron and PVC. Cast-iron pipes have an expected lifespan of between 80 and 100 years. Generally, plumbers hesitate to repair cast iron piping because the material is prone to leaks and often needs replacement.

A plumber can perform a camera inspection on cast iron piping where necessary. This helps them examine the state of the piping's interior. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) pipes can last between 25 and 40 years. Interestingly, PVC plumbing pipes are highly resistant to chemical degradation and heat.

Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures like sinks, bathtubs, and faucets can last 10 to 30 years. Your washing machine supply hose has an average lifespan of five years. Some braided sheathed hoses used with washing machines are pretty tough and can last up to ten years.

Water Pipes You Should Remove Immediately

You should remove these two types of supply water pipes immediately if they are part of your plumbing:

Lead Pipes

These pipes pose a severe health risk because they can leach lead into drinking water. They were pretty standard in the early 1900s and typically last up to 100 years.

Polybutylene Pipes

These pipes break very easily. They were pretty standard in the 1970s through to the 1990s. Older or well-maintained pipes generally last longer than stated in the above guidelines. However, you should replace pipes with high mineral content in areas with hard water immediately.

Signs Of A Bad Plumbing System

Well-maintained pipes can last beyond their service life. However, over time, even the sturdiest plumbing fixtures wear out. With age, some plumbing pipes lose their structural integrity. If you notice the following warning signs, know that it's time to repair or replace your plumbing pipes.

• Frequent incidences of leaky pipes.
• Dampness near appliances.
• Stains or warps on floorings.
• Flaking and stains on walls and ceilings.
• Taps, showerhead, or toilet running discoloured water.
• Unusually low water pressure that does not respond to plumbing fixes.
• Greener patches appearing on the lawn.
• Strange gurgling, bubbling, or rattling sounds from inside the walls.

Signs Of Plumbing Problems In Older Houses

You should do some checks if your home is at least 60 years old. Each year, check exposed pipes in basements, utility rooms, and crawl spaces for these signs:

• Corrosion signs include discolouration in tubing, flaking, stains, and pimples.
• Even small leaks can indicate that you may soon need an entire plumbing replacement. Remember, the original pipes in your home are likely of vintage plumbing material.

If you do spot the above signs, invite a plumber for an inspection.

When To Replace Your Old Plumbing

At some stage, you need to replace your old plumbing. However, it is not clear when to undertake this activity for most people. The considerations below should help know when to replace old plumbing.

Outdated Plumbing Materials

Confirm if your plumbing system is made of outdated materials. Old plumbing pipes tend to be inefficient and a health hazard. For instance, cast-iron sewer lines installed in the 70s or earlier are prone to rust and leaks. Trees can break sewer lines and cause leaks. Such leaks create access points for pests such as rodents and roaches.

Frequent Repairs

The number of times you need a plumber to fix your plumbing says a lot about the state of your piping. Multiple instances of leaky pipes within a month or year may signify that your plumbing is failing. More so, it shows your plumbing fixtures need more than a quick fix.

Clogged Drains

Frequent clogs in your drains can signify it is time to replace your plumbing. Similarly, blocked sewers should be looked at for plumbing repairs or replacement.

Discoloured Water

The water coming out from the kitchen faucet or showerhead should be crystal clear. You are right to be concerned if it comes out discoloured. It may even be that the water smells like eggs. Both signs indicate that your piping needs to be updated.

Where the water is green or blue, you may have issues with brass fittings or copper piping. Black coloured water indicates the presence of mould. If your water shows any of these signs, stop using it immediately.

Similarly, if the water appears yellow or brown, it might suggest that the pipes are corroding or rusting. Simply wait a day or two to confirm it is not a local water supply problem. Then, if it persists, invite a plumber to have a look.

Water Heater Issues

Water heaters do wear out over time, causing them to heat irregularly, leak, or overheat as the water heater ages. A typical water heater can last between 15 and 20 years. If you notice yellowish or brown water running out of your heater tank, chances are there is rust on its interior surface.

Cracked Plumbing Pipes

Exposed pipes make it easier for you to note problems such as cracks. For pipes hidden behind walls or underneath floors, look out for wet spots on the wall or floor. These signs indicate you need a pipe replacement. Do not ignore wet spots, as they can indicate serious plumbing issues.

Also, they can lead to the growth of moulds. Wet spots not only damage your foundation and framing, but they can also cause wood rot and reduced indoor air quality. Ultimately, you may need an air purifier and a plumber to help remedy such plumbing situations.

Low Water Pressure

Decreased water pressure can indicate plumbing issues in your home. Alternatively, the low water pressure issue could arise from problems with the water main on your street. If the problem is with your home's supply, you may need to install new plumbing pipes to deliver the correct water pressure.

Is It Time To Replace Your Water Lines?

Perhaps you are asking, should I replace my water lines? Usually, the tendency is that when there are sporadic leaks in certain places, they will soon start occurring throughout your system. As such, it may be better to change your water lines.

Similarly, if the water that fills your bathtub looks brown or yellow – especially after sitting in the pipes for a while – you should consider replacing pipes soon. The discoloured water you see is a sign of decay (rust) inside the water pipes.

How To Tackle Old Plumbing Pipe Replacement

Ideally, you should repair or replace your plumbing when it begins to show any of the signs discussed above. As such, you have to keep two things in mind. First, how much money to commit to fixing the problem each time it occurs. Second, what will you do next time a fixture shows a problem?

The critical issue here is whether your plumbing needs to be fixed or replaced. If you do not update your plumbing, you will most likely have leaky pipes in the end. Your plumbing issues could be as bad as a flood of water – or even raw sewage – flowing into your home. Such damage will require you to spend a lot of money to remedy the situation.

What Happens During A Pipe Replacement?

You can replace your plumbing if the drainage system has not collapsed. The plumber might have to dig up damaged pipes and replace them with new ones from their installed locations. There may be additional expenses, like the cost of excavation equipment and additional personnel.

What Happens During A Plumbing Repair?

Most plumbing issues are usually not that serious. For example, leaks along the pipe section and disconnected joints require trenchless pipe relining. You simply have your pipes repaired without extracting them physically. The method closes up unconnected junctions and cracks within the pipeline by inserting a protective liner.

Plumbing relining ensures your drainage system functions fully without a replacement. Additionally, trenchless sewer relining boosts the durability of your pipes and improves water flow. Moreover, pipes become more resistant to corrosion due to adverse underground conditions.

You can save a lot on successive repairs and replacements with this technique.

Cost To Replace Pipes

Relying on a trusted plumber for advice is probably the best alternative for pipe replacement. Here is a list of associated costs that you might incur while replacing your plumbing:

Cost to replace exposed plumbing

You may not be able to access in-wall pipes such as those in wood panelling or plaster walls. However, you can replace pipes that are not inside the walls. A plumber can easily access exposed pipes in your basement, crawlspace, or utility room. The average cost to replace only the exposed plumbing for a 1,500 square-foot, two-bathroom home lies between $2,000 and $6,000.

Cost to replace plumbing lines when renovating

As you remodel portions of your house, you need to inspect exposed plumbing lines. This helps you decide whether there are pipes that should be replaced. Remember to include pipes passing through the walls of your upstairs bathrooms in the inspection. Since the pipes need to be exposed in the course of the project, the plumber's added cost may be between $250 to $1,000.

Cost to replace PEX or copper piping

Replacing inside-the-wall supply pipes can be tricky. This is especially the case where you want to limit wall demolition. However, your plumber may recommend using cross-linked polyethylene tubing (also called PEX) as an alternative piping product. PEX is a flexible plastic hose.

Basically, it can act as a replacement for copper, which is relatively rigid. PEX can be snaked into walls with relative ease. The cost of replacing plumbing with PEX in two-bathroom home spanning 1,500 square feet can be between $8,000 and $10,000.

On the other hand, replacing plumbing with copper piping ranges from $4,000 to $6,000. The unknown health risks of using plastic water supply lines may make you hesitate to use them. In that case, consider an alternative pipe material. For instance, you could use PVC piping which costs about 25% to 50% less than the costs of standard copper piping.

Cost to replace sewer pipes

You are likely to spend between $2,250 and $6,000 on replacing sewer pipes.

Important Home Plumbing Maintenance Tips

• Get a licensed home inspector to perform home inspections. They can also recommend home maintenance routines. For instance, they can tell you things you should not place in your garbage disposal bin.
• Have your plumbing inspected at minimum once a year.
• Pipe relining can help you save on water bills.
• Your house plumbing components can benefit from regular cleaning. This can include drain cleaning and even dryer vent cleaning.

Seek The Services Of Professional Plumbers

After reading this article, you have probably gone beyond asking: "When should I replace my old plumbing?" Now you have some idea about the different types of plumbing pipes, signs of bad plumbing systems, and how to perform old plumbing pipe replacements.

Also, you have some idea about the average cost to replace pipes and essential home maintenance tips. However, mere knowledge may not be enough. You may not have the confidence or necessary expertise to repair or replace old plumbing. In that case, you can seek the services of professional plumbers.

There are fully qualified and licensed master plumbers you can rely on for home plumbing. They are competent enough to handle general, commercial, and even residential plumbing fixtures. They should be able to handle your house's plumbing maintenance.