If you’ve been noticing issues with your plumbing, it may be time to consider whether you need small pipe repairs or complete repiping. There are a few factors to keep in mind when making this decision, including the age of your home, the severity of the damage, and the extent of the repairs needed.
If your home is relatively new, chances are that small repairs will be sufficient. However, a complete repiping may be necessary if your home is older or the damage is more severe. In some cases, a combination of small repairs and repiping may be the best option.
Making the best decision would boil down to some of these factors:
- Your pipes regularly leak.
- Your walls, floors, or ceilings have clear signs of water stains.
- Your water bill increased all of a sudden.
- Your water is rust-colored.
- Your water pressure has been limited.
Some of the Viable Reasons to Have Simple Pipe Repairs
1. Your Pipes Leak Frequently
If you hear a drip in your bathroom, it means that your pipes are leaking. Although it’s not unusual to hear this sound after using the bathroom, if it’s continuous, it means that there is damage to one or more of your pipes. This can eventually lead to more serious problems.
2. Your Walls, Floors, or Ceilings Have Water Stains
If you notice brownish stains on your walls, ceiling, or floor, it may be an indication of a water leak somewhere in your home. If left unchecked, water leaks can damage the affected surfaces.
3. Your Water Bill Shot Up
If the water usage on your bill is higher than normal, it could be because of a leak in your plumbing. To check if this is the case, find your water meter and note the indicator’s position showing how many gallons of water have been used. Then, don’t use any water for a few hours and come back to see if the indicator has moved. If it has, there may be a leak.
4. Your Water Is Rust-Colored
When the water coming out of your tap is brown, it means that the pipe has already been corroded. This means that the water has been sitting in the pipes for a long time, leading to corrosion. This could lead to health problems if people were to drink the water.
5. Your Water Pressure Has Suddenly Decreased
If you notice that the water pressure in your home has suddenly decreased, it’s possible that you have a leak in your pipes. While it can be tricky to identify leaks if they’re hidden behind walls or floors, a professional plumber will be able to use specialized equipment to locate the source of the problem and fix it.
A Viable Reason to Have Complete Repiping
The most significant indicator that your piping system is outdated is the age of your home. If your home was built before 1970, it is likely that the piping is made of galvanized steel, copper, or other metals that have become outdated since then. If your home was built before WWII, you should have a plumber check your water lines, as they likely need extensive repiping or have already been repiped. Some homes from the early 1990s may also need whole-home repiping; they were often constructed with polybutylene pipes, a resin prone to leaks and clogs.
Conclusion
If you have minor leaks or drips in your home’s plumbing, small pipe repairs may be all that is needed to fix the problem. However, if you have more significant leaks or if your home’s plumbing is outdated, you may need to repipe your entire home. In either case, it is best to consult with a professional plumber to assess your needs and determine the best course of action.
If you are looking for a company that provides plumbing services in Birmingham, AL, look no further than our expertise here at Professor Plumb. We are licensed, insured, and bonded with over 20 years of experience, and we offer plumbing and gas services, new installations, and repairs. Call us today, and let us handle all your indoor leaks in no time!