A major, yet often essential, decision is whether or not your home needs new pipes. Problems with water quality, home safety and everyday comfort can arise from plumbing that is either old or broken. To save money on repairs and prevent extensive water damage to your home, you should replace your pipes when you see specific signs.
What Are the Different Types of Pipes in Your Home?
The material of the pipes in your home has a huge impact on how often you replace them. Some of the most popular pipe materials include copper, galvanized steel, PEX and polybutylene. With proper care, homes with copper pipes can usually avoid having to replace them for up to 70 years. Galvanized steel pipes need replacement much more often, about every 40 to 50 years. Homes constructed between 1970 and 1990 frequently need to have their polybutylene pipes replaced because of early failure. PEX pipes have an average lifespan of 40 years.
Rust-Colored Water
The presence of rust-colored water is one of the most obvious signs that you need to replace the pipes in your home. This discoloration is typically caused by rust in the pipes, indicating that they are corroding. Rust and corrosion not only affect the taste and appearance of water, but they can also cause severe leaks, clogs and even burst pipes. Rusty water is much more common in homes with older galvanized steel or iron pipes because these materials are highly susceptible to corrosion.
Outdated Pipes
Galvanized steel is one of the most common types of piping that many homes have that is now outdated. The same applies to lead pipes, which also pose significant health hazards, especially when the lead from the pipes contaminates your drinking water. Polybutene pipes, commonly used in homes built between 1978 and 1995, are highly sensitive to chlorine in water, causing them to break down over time. If your home has pipes made of these materials, it’s a good idea to speak with a plumber about swapping them out with new pipes made of a different material, like copper or PEX.
Pipe Corrosion and Leaks
Any time your pipes are leaking, it’s imperative to get a professional’s opinion on whether to replace them. Leaks can start out as tiny pinholes and eventually become so severe that they cause water damage across your entire property. Most leaks are the result of corrosion or a collapsed pipe. Warning signs to look for that indicate a leak include rising water bills, stains on walls, floors and ceilings and unexplained moisture around the pipes.
Fluctuating Water Temperature
Fluctuating water temperatures are much more than a nuisance; they signify a serious problem with the plumbing in your home. Or it could be that the water heater is about to go out. Significant temperature swings are particularly common in homes with older plumbing systems because mineral buildup can restrict water flow. A trained plumber can perform an inspection to determine the exact source of the temperature swings and help you figure out whether to upgrade the pipes or water heater.
Low Water Pressure
If you have corroded or clogged pipes, you’ll probably notice low water pressure in one or more areas of your home. These clogs and corrosion are the result of mineral, rust and debris buildup. If the water pressure is isolated to one part of the home, a plumber may need to apply a small repair to fix the issue. However, if the low pressure expands across the whole house, repiping might be the better option.
Strange Odors
Deteriorating pipes will sometimes cause the water in your home to have a weird and unpleasant smell. If you notice a rotten egg or metallic odor, there’s a good chance that there’s bacteria or corrosion in your pipes. Hydrogen sulfide, which forms when bacteria break down organic matter in the plumbing system, can cause these odors. It’s also possible for pipes to give off a strange smell if there’s a leak. No matter the cause, this is a plumbing problem that you can fix with new pipes.
Poor-Tasting Water
Water that has a weird taste could mean one of several things. It could be that the pipes are corroded and rusted, causing them to leach metal into the home’s water supply. It could also be the result of bacteria in the water or chemical contaminants. Not only is drinking strange-tasting water unpleasant, but it’s also dangerous.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing now to schedule a plumbing inspection for your home. Based on our findings, we can help you decide whether to repipe your home.