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What Does Repiping Mean?

Learn More About Whole House Repiping

If your property has pipes of a certain age whole house repiping is often taken into the initiative in order to save a property from plumbing issues. In certain cases, you may see. With damages to the pipeline repiping is an option to consider as it will renew the system with new pipe materials. Speak with your local qualified plumber about your options, until here is some general background information regarding whole house repiping that may prove useful to you.

How long does it take to Repipe a whole house?

When it comes to whole house repiping it can take anywhere from a few days up to a week. This will depend on the size and specifications of your home as while a smaller home may take as little as a few days larger ones with more bathrooms may take longer. During the time of repiping, you may be able to use your plumbing while sometimes you won’t be able to.

Should you Repipe your house?

If there are extensive leaks or you have repetitive plumbing problems that won’t seem to be resolved with repairs then consider having whole house repiping completed. It’s important to know that if there is corrosion within your piping system it can’t technically be reversed. Sections of pipes or perhaps the whole system of piping will need to be replaced as a result.

What does Repiping a house entail?

Whole house repiping will begin by covering the work area in plastic sheep to protect furnishings. Surgical cuts will be made to drywall as well as the ceiling to access any older pipes. After pipes are installed the area will be patched, painted, and smoothed over.

Does insurance cover Repiping?

Homeowners’ insurance won’t typically cover whole house repiping as most policies consider it to be a preventative measure. Therefore you may need to pay out of pocket for costs. If however, damages were caused by failing pipes of corrosion most policies will cover those damages.

What is the best pipes for a house?

The best pipes for whole house repiping are commonly PVC otherwise known as polyvinyl chloride. The white of this piping is commonly used in plumbing applications and are an affordable and versatile option as it can come in different sizes and fittings. PVC is essentially good for most warm and cold water applications.

Is PEX better than copper?

PEX as whole house repiping won’t degrade like copper and will be able to handle more freezing water than copper. It will have a higher PSI rating so it will still burst from freezing pipes up to a certain degree. PEX tubing itself is still more resistant to freeze-breaks than copper or any other rigid plastic pipe. Finally, PEX tubing will be cheaper as it won’t require as much labor to install.

How often should you check your plumbing?

Make sure that you check your plumbing system at least once every two years. 

How often should you replace plumbing?

  • Copper Pipes: 70-80 years 
  • Brass Pipes: 80-100 years
  • Galvanized Steel Pipes: 80-100 years

How do you know if something is wrong with the plumbing?

There are many signs that plumbing has something wrong with it, one such sign is when there is lower than normal water pressure around the house like with showers or sinks. Slow drains may be caused by clogs, yet if this is happening around the home it could point to tree roots or another type of clog in the main sewer line. If you smell any pungent smells this can point towards a break in the line as well. Not only with a smell, pay attention to the sounds you may hear such as rattling in the pipe, banging, or a shock wave referred to as a “water hammer.” This typically occurs with high water pressure in pipes or flooded air chambers in the pipe system. Rattling may point to loosened pipes that need to be secured once more.

What plumbing pipes are bad?

There are certain types of piping materials that aren’t considered to be a good option due to how they react. Take for instance lead pipes, if they infiltrate the water into your home that this can lead to poisoning as it is very toxic. Another piping material that may be something to avoid is galvanized steel which relies on its zinc coating to avoid corrosion. Finally, polybutylene pipes can become brittle and leak-prone with chlorine-treated municipal water that may run through them. 

Get in Touch With Your Plumber Regarding Whole House Repiping

Make sure to get in touch with your local plumbing company regarding whole house repiping. Only with a professional plumber will you able to have the right materials and secure fittings that will have your plumbing system working optimally for years to come. Get secure plumbing with whole house repiping today. 

Get assistance with whole house repiping in Sherman Oaks, CA call (818) 975-2131 with SAL Plumbing and Rooter Inc.!