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What Is Repiping and How Do You Know When You Need It?

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What Is Repiping and How Do You Know When You Need It?

No plumbing device is invincible, and even the safest, most durable pipe systems will eventually break down. If the pipes in your house are severely damaged, it may not always be possible to fix a water leak with a basic repair. In a large number of cases, a moderate to severe pipe leak can only be fixed by repiping a house.

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The pipes in your house have a limited lifespan. As the water and sewer lines become older, they will slowly begin to corrode. While it may be hard to notice the early signs of pipe corrosion, it’s important to replace old pipes before cracks and holes begin to form. The average cost to replumb a house will vary depending on a couple of factors.

Cost to Replumb a House

The average cost to replumb a house will vary between $5,000 to $7,000. However, the total cost of repiping a house may be as high as $15,000 depending on a variety of factors. These variables include pipe location, number of bathrooms, quantity of fixtures, and how many stories a home includes.

Variables That Will Affect the Total Price of Repiping a Home

Location of Failing Pipes

The location of the deteriorating pipes will affect the cost to replumb a house. Leaking pipes in closets and crawl spaces will be more expensive to replace when compared to water or sewer lines that run behind the drywall in your bathrooms, bedrooms, or kitchen. Since these pipes are hard to reach, a technician will be required to spend extra time removing the old corroded pipes.

Size of Home & Total Stories

The total cost of repiping a house with a total of 1,600 square feet that was built in the 1970’s will be lower when compared to replumbing a home with a total of 2,600 square feet or more that was constructed between 2015 to 2020. This is because larger homes will require additional piping supplies and additional hours of labor when compared to smaller houses. In addition, a home that includes two stories will cost more to replumb when compared to a ranch house that only features a single floor.

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Quantity of Sinks & Fixtures

The cost of a sewer or water pipe replacement project will be higher for homes that include a large number of plumbing fixtures such as sinks, water heaters, boilers, backyard pools, and washing machines. This is because more pipes and supplies will be required to fix common plumbing leak that are caused by sewer and water line corrosion. The price of repiping a house with a lot of fixtures is also more expensive because it takes additional time to properly connect the supply and drainage lines to each sink or fixture.

Diameter of the Supply & Drainage Pipes

The total price of a sewer or water pipe replacement will be higher for pipes with a large diameter when compared to pipes with smaller openings. Since a pipe with a large diameter requires additional materials throughout the manufacturing process, they are more expensive to purchase. As a result, the total cost of hiring a certified technician to install a large pipe will be higher when compared to the cost of replacing a pipe with a small diameter.

Material of Replacement Pipes

The most popular types of replacement pipes used in houses consist of Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX), Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC), and Copper. It will be less expensive to repipe a house with PEX piping when compared to Copper piping because its flexible and takes less time for a plumber to install behind the walls.

The price of copper pipes are higher than PEX piping because they are strong and feature a long lifespan. The average cost of repiping a home with copper pipes can easily vary from $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on a variety of factors.

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The lifespan of Your Water & Sewer Pipes

The lifespan of the pipes in your home is dependent on factors such as pipe material and usage patterns. Depending on the period of time your home was constructed, you may have brass, copper, or galvanized steel pipes behind your walls or under your flooring. If your copper pipes are 70 – 80 years old, it’s important to pay attention to your walls, flooring, and pipes for signs of a water leak. Unfortunately, the only way to fix a damaged copper supply pipe is to replumb a portion of your house.

On the other hand, galvanized steel and brass pipes feature a lifespan of up to 100 years. In addition, the drainage and sewer lines in your house include a limited lifespan that you should be familiar with. Common materials for drainage pipes include cast iron and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Most cast iron pipes are designed to last between 90 – 100 years. A cast iron pipe that is over the age of 100 will include corrosion and hairline cracks.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes include a limited lifespan between 30 – 40 years. To prevent damage to your walls, furniture, and appliances, we recommend talking to a professional to become familiar with the total cost to replumb a house.

Signs Your Home Needs New Pipes

The key to effectively repiping a house is to identify compromised pipes early and replace them as soon as possible. To do this, watch out for:

Discolored Water May Indicate Rusty Pipes

If the water in your home has become brown, red, or otherwise discolored, it’s a sign that the pipes have gotten rusty or moldy. When you notice this, stop drinking or bathing in the water immediately, as it is likely contaminated. We recommend repiping your house in each of the affected area.

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Low or Inconsistent Water Pressure From Misshapen Pipes

Another sign it’s time to repipe a house includes broken or misshapen pipes. These issues can lead to wild swings in water pressure or to a gradual reduction in pressure. Not only is this inconvenient in the short term, but it means that there is water building up in many of your pipes, increasing the risk of rust or mold.

Weird Tasting Tap Water from Rust & Mold

Rust and mold change the taste of your water, as do minerals that get into it. Any sudden change in taste is a sign it’s time to consider repiping your house. Stop drinking your tap water until you have the pipes inspected by an emergency plumber at Fenwick Home Services. Give us a call by phone at 904-217-5694‬ or schedule an appointment on our website to receive help with a repiping issue.

Frequent Leaks & Clogs

The occasional leak or clog is normal, but if your pipes are frequently springing leaks or getting backed up, it’s a sign that they are damaged. The only way to stop persistent clogging and leaking is to replumb your house.

Mold Growth on Water & Sewer Pipes

Even if you have not noticed any water quality or pressure problems, keep an eye out for mold that forms near pipes. Small leaks can cause mold growth by spreading moisture in otherwise dry areas of your home without having a noticeable impact on water pressure. While such leaks can usually be fixed with minor plumbing repairs, if they happen in multiple parts of your home, you may need to perform a repiping project,

These and other problems aren’t just inconvenient; they’re a threat to your health and safety! It is thus critical to respond quickly by scheduling a repiping appointment with our team. Get an inspection as soon as possible, and if your pipes are severely damaged, don’t hesitate to replace them.

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How to Find a Reliable Repiping Technician in Florida

Replumbing a house has the potential to improve the health and safety of your plumbing system dramatically, but only if it’s done right. For this reason, look for a plumber that:

Offers a Large Catalog of Piping Materials

Carries a variety of pipes. Many of the new piping materials available have longer warranties. CPVC is the most common piping used in the Jacksonville area. PEX is another new type of piping commonly installed today. Uponor and Viega are two manufacturers of PEX that Fenwick Home Services uses. They both provide warranties for their product for 25 years. They also offer warranty for any damage a leak may cause for the first 10 years. These factors help plumbers choose what materials to use for your particular home.

Is Experienced

Has extensive experience with repiping in your area. Only experienced local plumbers can anticipate mineral content, water sources, and other factors that affect the type of pipes they should choose.

Provides Accurate Piping Inspection Services

Offers comprehensive inspections to determine exactly what is wrong with your pipes and how to prevent such issues from arising again in the future.

Trustworthy Repiping Services in Florida

Fenwick Home Services offers repiping services in Jacksonville and other areas of Florida for water lines and gas pipes. Our team has been providing reliable, safe, and affordable plumbing services to Northeast Florida since 1969. Give us a call by phone at 904-217-5694‬ or fill out our Contact Form to receive assistance with a repiping or plumbing project.

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