3 Signs Your Home Needs Repiping

Like other parts of your home, your plumbing will eventually need to be replaced. The process of installing a new plumbing system is called repiping. Here are three signs that your home may be in need of repiping.

1. Frequent Leaks

Pipes that are worn and need to be replaced will often start leaking at several different points in your home. While these leaks are easy to spot in exposed plumbing, for example in pipes in your basement, they can also occur in the piping behind your walls.

If there are often water stains on your walls or ceiling, it is a problem that you should address quickly. A licensed plumber can tell you whether the leaky pipes can be repaired or if repiping will be required.

2. Discolored Water and Clogs

The water that is delivered to your home contains mineral impurities that can have an impact on your plumbing system. Over time, these impurities build up inside your pipes as sediment deposits. These deposits can eventually create stubborn clogs at multiple points in your home's plumbing. Sediment buildup can even accelerate corrosion inside your pipes to increase the risk of leaks.

Another sign of sediment buildup in your plumbing is discolored water. Sediment can make the water from your faucets appear ruddy, and there may even be visible flakes floating in it. If multiple faucets and fixtures are exhibiting this issue, you likely have a system-wide sediment problem that will require repiping.

3. Outdated Plumbing

Sometimes, your plumbing will be nearing the end of its life without any significant symptoms. If your home is 40 to 50 years old, it's time to start thinking about repiping to keep your water healthy and avoid costly water damage repairs from unnecessary leaks.

Homes that were built in the 70s and earlier often used lead pipes. Lead plumbing is an outdated material, and it is a health hazard if you drink water from the tap. The 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act significantly limited the use of lead pipes in residential drinking water functions. A professional plumbing inspection can tell you if your home is still using lead pipes and it's time to upgrade.

Repiping is a complex process, but it is often the best way to get your home's plumbing system up to a safe modern standard. Remember these signs that your home needs repiping so that you aren't caught off-guard by problems such as unexpected pipe failures.

For further details, reach out to a local plumbing service.