Tag Archives: benefits of having your home repiped

Aug '24

When to Consider Repiping Your Home: 3 Key Clues

When most homeowners are looking at ways to improve the market value of their property, they rarely think of projects like whole-house repiping. As a rule, SGI Management Dallas most homeowners will never replace the water pipes in their homes unless forced to do so.

That is because repiping a home’s plumbing is a lot of work; labor-intensive and time-consuming. These make it an expensive project and homeowners are naturally motivated to avoid projects that take money out of their pocket.

Secondly, repiping your home will not have a visible impact on its appearance. In other words, it will not improve your home’s curb appeal and homeowners typically want upgrades that boost their home’s aesthetics.

For these reasons, the generality of homeowners don’t see the need to repipe their homes. As long as the existing pipes are working, even if there are occasional problems, repiping the home is very far from their mind.

However, replacing your home’s water pipes is critical for maintaining the safety of your water supply, especially if there are small children or vulnerable adults such as pregnant women in the home. This project also improves the performance of your plumbing while helping to cut costs.

However, given the cost of repiping your home, you only want to undertake this project when necessary. What are the signs that it is time to repipe your home and why is it important to do this project sooner rather than later?

Signs it is time to repipe your home

Most repiping projects are done because of a terrible leak or burst. But there is no need to wait until plumbing emergencies force you to pay closer attention to the condition and performance of your cold and hot water pipes.

If you are planning to remodel your home and the project involves the kitchen and bathrooms that is the perfect opportunity to repipe your home. Since you will have to repipe the property at some point anyway, you might as well do it now to save costs.

Other situations where you should consider repiping your home include:

If the house was built before 1986 or between the 1940s and 1970s

Most homes built before the 1986 Safe Water Act have lead pipes in their plumbing. Lead pipes are banned for water pipes. Lead particles can find their way into the water supply and cause lead poisoning, which can lead to permanent brain or nervous system damage.

Galvanized steel pipes are common in homes built between the 1940s and 1970s. While safer than lead pipes, galvanized steel pipes, have their problems. They are vulnerable to corrosion and as a result, are prone to leakages. Your home’s overall maintenance cost will be adversely affected if you have galvanized steel pipes in the plumbing

Frequent water leaks and water discoloration

If you are constantly dealing with pipe leaks, it may be time to repipe your home. Leaks are a common problem in water pipes but if they become a permanent feature of the system, it means your pipes have become weak. The cost of fixing damage caused by leaks – especially in walls, ceilings or slab foundations – may be higher than the cost of repiping the home.

Water discoloration is either caused by pipe leaks that admit soil and other contaminants into the water supply or excessive corrosion and buildup within the pipes. If your water pipes are rusted to the point where they are changing the color of your water, the only way to fix the problem is to repipe your home. The contaminants in discolored water can harm your health, appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Pipes are visibly corroded and there is low water pressure

If you can see clear signs of severe wear and tear on exposed sections of the water pipes, it may be time to repipe your home. These signs include flaking or staining. These are telltale signs that the pipes are seriously corroded and well on their way to failure. Replacing the pipe as soon as possible will help you avoid major problems, with higher repair costs, in the future.

If the problem is not from the city water supply or due to leaks in your main water line, low water pressure in your home can be caused by rusty water pipes. Corrosion and sediment buildup in water pipes can narrow their channel, limiting the volume of water the system can carry. If you have a problem with low water pressure across your entire home, it may be time to repipe the house.

Finally, why should you repipe your home?

There are good financial reasons for doing this project. Although repiping your home will not reflect on your building’s appearance, buyers will be willing to pay you more for your home if they know they have nothing to worry about the plumbing system.

Feb '24

Understanding the Process of Re-piping and Why It’s Important

Re-piping is replacing all the water pipes in your plumbing system. This procedure is one of the most effective ways to restore the efficiency of your plumbing. Re-piping your home will help you get rid of all issues caused by old, damaged, or deteriorated pipes, advises the team at KRS Holdings management.

Why should you re-pipe your home? How do you know if your home is due for re-piping; what are the signs to look for? What does the re-piping process look like, and what are the things to consider when re-piping your home?

Why you should re-pipe your plumbing system

Water pipes invariably become weaker and less efficient as they age. Old and brittle pipes are more vulnerable to shocks, like sudden and extreme changes in water temperature or pressure. Aging pipes leak more often; they subject your home to a higher risk of water damage.

In addition to aging, mineral buildup and corrosion take their toll on water pipes. These problems narrow the pipe channels and reduce the water flowing through the system. Pipes with lots of sediment inside them are also more likely to crack.

Fixing these problems by re-piping your plumbing offers the following benefits:

Maximize efficiency

Re-piping reduces the rate of energy loss from the water pipes. You also get to cut down on utility bills when you reduce the rate of water wastage.

Lower maintenance costs

You can reduce the time and energy spent on plumbing issues. You also achieve significant savings in your plumbing maintenance costs.

Prevent property damage

The cost of fixing collateral damage caused by leaks can be higher than fixing the plumbing. Re-piping helps to minimize this risk.

Boost property value

Re-piping your home adds thousands of dollars to its market value. Potential buyers won’t have to worry about hidden plumbing issues in the house.

How re-piping is done

Re-piping follows a ten-part process:

Shut the water supply

The water can be turned off for 3 days. The actual duration depends on your home’s size and the condition of the existing pipes.

Remove the old pipes

Water is drained from the pipes before they are removed. The walls and floors are checked for mold and other signs of water damage.

Inspection

This step is for assessing the extent of damage to the old pipes and the kind of repairs that should be done before installing the new pipes.

New pipe installation

The process of installing the new pipes begins. The shape that this takes depends on the kind of pipes being installed

Test for leaks

Using pressure tests and tools such as infrared cameras, the system is tested for leaks before the water supply is restored.

Turn on the water

The water is turned on, and the system is tested a second time for leaks and other problems.

Flush system with hot water

Hot water is run through the plumbing fixtures in the home to get rid of any sediment inside the pipes.

Insulate water pipes

To prevent corrosion, critical sections of the piping are insulated to reduce the incidence of condensation buildup.

Install access panels

Access panels – which provide easy access to water pipes for maintenance – are installed at critical points.

Final check

One last check is done to ensure there are no code violations and that every component of the system is properly connected.

Brown or rust-colored and smelly water are indications of extensive corrosion inside the home’s water pipes.

Does your home need re-piping?

You should re-pipe your home plumbing if more than one of these problems is present in the home.

Frequent leaks

This is a sign that your pipes are deteriorated and clogged with sediment. Repairing such pipes is a temporary measure that will cost you more in the long run.

Low water pressure

A problem of chronically low water pressure in the entire home – not just one plumbing fixture – is a sure sign that your water pipes need to be replaced.

Water quality issues

Brown or rust-colored and smelly water are indications of extensive corrosion inside the home’s water pipes.

Pipes are old

If the piping was done before 1986, chances are high that your pipes are made of lead. Lead pipes are no longer in use because they pose a risk of lead poisoning.

Before you re-pipe your home

Here are 4 things to think about before re-piping your home:

Time

Choose a time of the year when you can afford to have the water turned off for up to 3 days.

Pipes

What kind of pipes should you use? The choice is usually between PVC, copper and PEX pipes.

Pipe size

What is the right size of pipes based on the water flow requirements of my home?

Cost

How much will this project cost me, and how do I avoid wasting money?

Re-piping your home is a major project that if done wrong, can haunt your building and life for many years. Before embarking on this project, talk to an experienced and reliable plumber.

Jan '24

When to Consider Replacing Your Aging Plumbing Pipes

Although they practically make your home livable by carrying water to and from the house, your building’s plumbing network probably needs to be addressed. That’s because, despite its massive size, most of the pipes in the system are entirely out of sight.

Because they are buried in the ground or hidden inside the walls of your house, the BRS Management team, it is very easy to overlook plumbing pipes when doing general maintenance. Even worse, some homeowners wrongly assume that plumbing pipes are so sturdy that they do not need to go out of their way to look after them.

This belief is completely false. Like any other home feature, your plumbing pipes are vulnerable to wear and tear. Plumbing pipes are even more susceptible to wear because of their environment. These pipes transport water and are often underground.

Consequently, your home’s plumbing pipes are constantly subject to the corrosive effects of the water inside them and the forces of degradation in the surrounding soil. The combination of these factors is why those plumbing pipes wear out after some years and need replacement.

But the big question is, how do you know when it is time to replace the plumbing pipes in your home? Or should you wait until the pipes fail before replacing them? The trouble with waiting until your pipes fail is that you often have to fix other problems caused by the pipe failure. The easier way is to learn the signs of an impending in your plumbing system.

Critical signs that your plumbing pipes should be replaced

The pipes are old

Plumbing pipes have a 40 – 100-year lifespan, depending on the material and the environment where they are laid. The typical lifespan for different kinds of pipe materials is as follows: brass (40-70 years), copper (50+ years), cast iron (75-100 years), and PVC (100+ years). Check your home’s maintenance records to know the kind of pipes you have and how old they are.

You have frequent leaks

If your pipes leak frequently, it could be a sign that the pipes and pipe connections have become weak. Pipes can sometimes become fragile before they end their useful life. That may happen if the pipes are exposed to highly corrosive soil or water. If your pipes leak frequently, you could save money by replacing them instead of repairing them.

Reduced water pressure

There are two ways aging water pipes can affect the water pressure in your home: Mineral deposits can build up on the inner surface of pipes, reducing their internal diameter and slowing the rate at which water flows. Leaks in your pipes can also affect the water pressure in your home by letting water escape from the system.

Water quality issues

Aging pipes can also affect the quality of water entering your home. For instance, metal pipes, such as lead pipes, can leach dangerous metals into your home’s water supply. If there is a lot of corrosion and deposits inside the pipes, it may alter the water’s color, taste, and smell. Soil and bacteria may also find their way into the water through cracks in the walls of your home’s aged piping.

Why should you replace your old plumbing pipes?

Reduce maintenance costs

Newer pipes cut the time, money, and effort spent fixing leaks and clogs. Additionally, you can eliminate the cost of fixing water damage caused by those broken pipes.

Lower heating costs

Modern pipes such as PVC and CPVC can maintain water temperature during transit. This reduction in heating costs can result in significant energy savings each year.

Prevent wear and tear

Leaky pipes can cause constant water damage and mold growth, accelerating the deterioration of a building’s features. New plumbing pipes will not subject your home to this risk.

Compliance with building codes

Building codes and regulations are constantly being updated. Replacing your home’s plumbing pipes will allow you to bring your property up to code.

Improved property value

Newly installed plumbing improves a home’s appeal and market value. Buyers are willing to pay more for the peace of mind that comes with new pipes.

To conclude, is there a way to detect the actual condition of your home’s plumbing without waiting for any of the signs above? There is. By having your entire plumbing system inspected yearly by a professional plumber, you can preempt problems in the system.

Scheduled plumbing inspections by a professional plumber will allow you to see problems in the system before they become significant issues. By having your plumbing evaluated regularly, you can start planning and preparing beforehand for the eventual replacement of your pipes.