If you have plumbing problems that seem to persist or worsen, you may be wondering if it’s time to replace your pipes. If you live in an older home, you may also be thinking about whether your pipes are reaching the end of their lifespan. Many factors, including the age, type, and condition of your pipes, as well as the water quality in your area and your usage patterns, impact how often a home needs to be repiped. We’ll discuss these issues below.
What Determines How Often a Home Needs Repiping?
Usually, a combination of things suggests a home may need to be repiped, including:
The Age and Type of the Piping Material
Residential pipes typically last between 20 and 70 years, and sometimes longer, depending on what they’re made of. Many different materials are used to make residential piping, and each material has a different lifespan, as listed below:
- Copper: 50+ years
- Brass: 40–70+ years
- Galvanized steel: 20–50 years
- Cast iron: 75–100 years
- PVC: 24–50 years or longer
- PEX: Up to 50 years or longer
Older pipes are more likely to break down as they age, which makes them more vulnerable to corrosion and other problems. Homes built before 1970 may have cast iron pipes that are susceptible to corrosion; homes piped with copper and brass pipes tend to fare better. PVC and PEX pipes, which were widely adopted starting in the 1960s and 1990s, respectively, tend to be fairly durable. Galvanized steel and other materials, including lead and polybutylene, are inherently problematic. Galvanized steel pipes can corrode and leach lead and other harmful chemicals into drinking water. Lead pipes can cause lead poisoning when they leach lead into the water supply. Polybutylene pipes are made from a plastic resin that can break and fail easily, which can cause leaks that can severely damage property. If you have one of these types of pipes, you should replace them.
The Condition of the Pipes
If your pipes are at or beyond their end-of-life, you should consider repiping your house. The older your pipes are, the more likely they are to experience deterioration and failures that can threaten your health or damage your house. Periodically inspecting your pipes for signs of wear and paying attention to your water pressure and water quality can help you assess whether your pipes are in good shape for their age or worse for wear.
Water Quality
The hardness and acidity of the water in your area can affect the longevity of your pipes. Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium that can corrode and cause scale buildup inside the walls of the pipes. Acidic water can also corrode pipes and cause toxic metals to leach from them.
Water Usage
Households that use a lot of water are likely to wear out their pipes more quickly because heavy usage tends to put wear and strain on the plumbing system.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Pipes
If your pipes start leaking often, have visible rust or corrosion, or become difficult to maintain, or if you notice that you’re having issues with your water pressure or water quality that are difficult to correct, you may need to repipe your house. Here are some signs that you need to take action:
Leaky Pipes
Sometimes pipes leak when a joint or a pipe segment loosens or fails. This kind of leak is localized and usually easy to fix. On the other hand, if you have leaks in different areas of the house, your pipes may be cracked or deteriorating to the point that you need to repipe your plumbing system, especially if you notice other problems like stains, corrosion, or discolored water.
Corrosion
If you notice signs of corrosion, rust, or damage to the pipes, it’s time to consider repiping. If your pipes change color to become more yellow, orange, red, or brown, or if you notice holes, pits, or changes to their surface texture, they may be corroded.
Discolored Water
If your water runs yellow or brown when you turn on the tap, your pipes could be damaged, corroded, or filled with sediment or rust. Discolored water can be a hazard to your health and needs to be addressed right away.
Low Water Pressure
Your water pressure should be moderate and consistent over time, so if you notice that your water pressure is decreasing, you may have problems like sediment buildup or blockages inside your pipes that are restricting the flow of water.
Noisy Pipes
Pipes that frequently creak, gurgle, bang, or rattle could have loose connections, air pockets, or buildup inside the pipes. These problems tend to worsen and accelerate deterioration over time, which can lead to leaks and pipe failures.
Smelly or Strange-Tasting Water
If your water smells off or tastes bad, it’s likely that your pipes are deteriorating or that they have other serious problems that have allowed metals, chemicals, or bacteria to contaminate the water.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Repipe My House?
When you’re having constant problems with your plumbing system or you know that your pipes have reached or surpassed the end of their normal lifespan, then it’s time to consider repiping your house. Keep in mind that pipes that have been poorly maintained, heavily used, or exposed to hard or acidic water for years may need to be replaced sooner. Recognizing and understanding the different factors that can determine the timeline for replacing your pipes can help you make informed decisions about bringing your plumbing system up to date.
When It’s Time to Repipe Your House, Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Repiping your house is an investment that is sure to enhance your quality of life and increase the value of your home. The professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help you decide which kind of pipes will suit your needs best and give you reliable service for years to come. Call us today to upgrade your home’s plumbing system and enjoy a clean, reliable supply of fresh water every day.