House Repiping in Plano, TX
The older a home is, the more likely it is that a whole-home plumbing repiping will be necessary. Studies show that cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and copper, the most commonly used pipes in homes today, have an average lifespan of 40 to 80 years.
Bearing that in mind, homeowners in homes with plumbing systems that are 40 years old or older should consider a whole-home repiping.
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Signs That Suggest a Whole-Home Repiping Might Be Necessary
Signs that suggest a whole-home repiping might be necessary can present in many ways. However, the two that homeowners notice the fastest are leaking pipes and higher-than-usual water bills.
A relatively small leak can waste around 30 gallons of water per month. Larger leaks, meanwhile, can waste over 300 gallons per month and up to 3,000 gallons per year.
Such leaks can result in water bills that are 10% or more higher than they would otherwise be, according to most licensed plumbers in Plano, TX.
It is worth noting that not all leaks require a whole-home repiping. However, most plumbers will recommend going this route if there are frequent plumbing leaks in the home or other major plumbing problems.
Along with leaking pipes and water bills that are consistently higher than usual, the following are also signs that suggest a whole-home repiping might be in order:
- Extreme changes in water temperature – If there is a significant change in water temperature when more than one outlet is in use, it can be a sign of failing components and other widespread plumbing issues.
- Foul taste or smells – Foul-smelling or bad-tasting water is often a sign of pipe corrosion or deterioration caused by contaminant, sediment, or bacterial buildup.
- Low water pressure – Water pressure should remain consistent while a hot or cold water tap is on. If water pressure constantly drops while running either tap, it is usually a byproduct of old, corroded, or mineral-clogged pipes restricting normal water flow. Sometimes, clearing accumulated debris is enough to restore water pressure. Other times, a repiping is necessary.
- Noisy pipes – Constant rattling, gurgling, banging, or whistling sounds coming from pipes, especially in older homes, is often a sign of pipe deterioration, sediment buildup, loose pipes, or loose fittings. All of these can give way to leaks, pipe bursts, and costly water damage.
- Pipe corrosion – Whether it’s because of aging, exposure to chlorinated water, or contact with dissimilar metals, most pipes will corrode over time. That’s especially true for steel, copper, and certain types of plastic pipes. Reddish, brown, yellow, or otherwise discolored water coming out of faucets, showers, and other fixtures is the most common telltale sign of pipe corrosion.
Additional Reasons To Consider a Whole-Home Repiping
Even if you’re not experiencing plumbing problems, it is best to replace outdated pipelines in your home if you have them. That includes lead, polybutylene, and galvanized steel pipes.
Lead pipes are known to release toxic lead into drinking water, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and many other health problems.
Polybutylene pipes degrade faster than other pipes due to chemical reactions with chlorine in a home’s water supply. Over time, that degradation makes polybutylene extremely susceptible to stress fractures and leaks.
Like lead pipes, galvanized steel pipes can release lead and other harmful chemicals into a home’s water supply when they corrode, putting people and animals at high risk of developing several health problems.
How Much Will a Whole-Home Repiping Set Homeowners Back?
A whole-home repiping is costly and can cause significant disruption in the home. According to Angi, a trusted home services website, the average cost of repiping a home is between $1,500 and $15,000, with the average homeowner spending right around $7,500. Most of these plumbing projects take 2 to 7 days to complete.
Several factors dictate the final price, including the type of pipes used in the repiping. PEX is the least expensive, and copper is the most costly when it comes to piping materials.
The size of the home and whether or not opening up walls, ceilings, or floors to facilitate the repiping also dictates overall cost.
What Homeowners Should Expect During a Whole-Home Repiping
During a whole-home repiping, homeowners can expect an initial inspection, which includes a comprehensive assessment of the entire plumbing system. That involves a plumber checking visible pipes for corrosion, leaks, or discoloration, testing water pressure, and inspecting water heaters and fixtures.
It also includes evaluating the age and condition of existing pipes to determine the repiping material that will work best for the project. As far as the actual work is concerned, homeowners can expect the following:
- Shutting off water – To complete a whole-home repiping, a plumber will need to shut off water to the home for most of the day.
- Accessing pipes – As the name probably suggests, this aspect of a whole-home repiping involves a plumber cutting into walls, ceilings, or floors as necessary to access and remove existing pipes.
- New pipe installation – This aspect of the whole-home repiping involves installing new hot and cold water lines and, in most cases, rerouting them through the home’s attic.
- Testing – After installing new pipes, the plumber will perform a second water pressure test to ensure there are no water leaks. This process entails introducing water or air into the newly completed, capped-off system and then using a gauge to monitor the water pressure and make adjustments as needed.
The Benefits of Repiping Your Home
Many benefits come from repiping an entire home, with the most notable ones being improved water pressure and overall plumbing efficiency, lower water bills, and needing fewer costly repairs.
Hire a Licensed Plano Plumber Today
While it is not always necessary, a whole-home repiping is sometimes the only viable option for resolving temperature fluctuations, low water pressure, corrosion, and other plumbing problems caused by old, failing, or outdated plumbing lines. For more information about whole-home repiping or to schedule an in-home consultation, consider contacting Total Air & Heat, home of the eagle-eyed plumbers in Plano, TX, today.
