Are the pipes in your house starting to give you problems? If they are still relatively new, you may be able to repair them instead of replacing them. Most pipes are designed to last for decades, so even if they are 20 years old, you should still be able to get some life out of them.
However, there will come a time when you will need to replace the pipes rather than repair them. Here are seven signs that will let you know it's time to call in a professional for plumbing replacement.
There are some signs that you need plumbing and repairs that will be difficult to understand. This is not one of those signs.
If you have a crack in a plumbing pipe, it will be fairly easy to spot. You will be able to look at the pipe and see the water coming out of it as it passes through your plumbing system.
Even if the pipe is hidden behind a wall or under a floor, it won't take you very long to realize that you need to have a plumbing pipe replaced. When there is a crack in a pipe, it will only be a matter of time before the water begins to soak into the wall or floor and damage it.
Don't ignore damp spots anywhere in your home. It could be a sign of a serious plumbing problem, and it can also lead to water damage and mold growth if you're not careful.
2. Leaks
A plumbing pipe does not have to be cracked to leak. There may also be loose connections between plumbing pipes that can cause them to blow a leak.
At first, that leak may be minor with just a little bit of water coming out of your pipes. But over time, a small leak can turn into a big one when exposed to pressure.
A plumber could fix a plumbing leak without having to replace the pipes. But it could also suggest replacing the pipes if they are in very poor condition.
3. Corrosion
Do you have the feeling that the pipes in your house are always clogged?
You may want to tell your family to be more careful about what they put down the drain. But it's also possible that he wants to consider the possibility that his pipes are corroding from within.
Galvanized steel pipes, in particular, are notorious for their corrosion. Once corrosion sets in, it's only a matter of time before you're going to need to replace your plumbing pipes to allow water to flow through them freely again.
4. Discolored water
When you turn on the kitchen faucet or go to take a shower, you want the water that comes out to be crystal clear. You don't want it to be yellow or brown or look like it has some sort of sediment floating in it.
If your waterfalls into any of these categories, it may be a temporary problem with your local water supply. But it can also be a sign that the pipes are corroding or rusting from the inside.
Wait a day or so to see if the color of the water lightens. If you don't, you'd better avoid drinking or bathing in the water and have a plumber come to your house right away.
5. Decreased water pressure
As with discolored water, there's a chance that decreased water pressure in your home could be an indication of a problem in your area. If, for example, there is a problem with a water main on your street, it could result in low water pressure.
But if the water pressure in your home always seems to drop, it could be your plumbing system's way of telling you that you need to install new pipes. The old ones may not be ready to supply the water pressure you need.
6. Hazardous materials
By now, almost everyone knows how dangerous lead pipes can be.
Repeated exposure to lead can cause learning problems and slow growth in children. It also can lead to kidney problems and reproductive issues in adults.
Find out if your plumbing system contains lead or comes into contact with it in any way. If so, you should consider finding a way to remove lead from the equation as soon as possible.
7. Old pipe
If you have PVC plumbing pipes in your home, you're probably not going to ever have to worry about replacing them. There are many PVC plumbing pipes that will last indefinitely.
But all the other mains will need to be replaced at some point. Here is the shelf life you can expect from them:
Galvanized steel: 20 to 50 years
Brass: 40 to 45 years
Copper: more than 50 years
Cast iron 75 to 100 years
If you're not sure what type of plumbing you have in your home, ask your plumber to check it out the next time he visits you. Next, run the numbers to see how old your pipes are. That will give you an idea of when you will need to think about replacing them.
