While spending more time at home, you’ve probably started noticing repairs you need to make.
You may even have tackled a few projects to improve your home. However, there are some home improvements you might not consider, because they’re hidden until they reach their breaking point — like your home’s plumbing system.
You rely on the pipes to bring safe water into your home for cleaning, laundry — and drinking — every day. Unfortunately, you can’t usually tell something is wrong until they leak, creating water damage costing thousands of dollars.
The good news is, there are signs which indicate it’s time to repipe your home. And when you do it right, that one project can save thousands of dollars and lots of future headaches by preventing leaks, water damage - and unsafe drinking water.
Here’s what to look for.
1. Is your home more than 50 years old?
If the original pipes weren’t replaced, repiping is a good idea - before large-scale water damage occurs. Older homes typically used galvanized pipes prone to corrosion, leaking and bursting.
If your house was built even earlier — around the 1920s — the pipes were probably made of polybutylene and/or lead. These materials are dangerous and should be replaced immediately. Polybutylene is highly prone to breaking and leaking, so it’s only a matter of time before a serious problem occurs. And lead seeps into drinking water, which can cause serious health problems for your family.
2. Do you have low water pressure?
When pipes contain rust or mineral buildup, it eventually restricts water flow into the house. By the time it affects your water pressure, it’s the result of years of buildup — a clear sign repiping is needed.