Does your older home need to have all its pipes replaced? Replacing a plumbing system may become a necessity for homes built during earlier eras in which lead or galvanized pipes were the norm.
Many homes across America that that date to the last century are still bringing water into homes through lead pipes that create dangerous hazards for consumption as drinking water. Likewise, homes with galvanized steel pipes corrode: polluting your water with rust, reducing your water pressure, and creating leaks and even pipe bursts.
In this article, the plumbing and piping experts at Tampa Bay Plumber provide some insights into what, why, and how you can get new piping to improve your water quality, water pressure, and your family’s health. Today’s piping options, like PVC and PEX, are generations removed from these early metal piping systems. You’ll see a world of difference!
Why Would You Get New Pipes for Your Home?
Repiping a house involves a total replacement of all its water pipes. Repiping is a big project that requires a significant investment in money and time. However, repiping may be your best and only option if you are experiencing the following issues in your home.
Frequent Plumbing Repairs
Frequent pipe leaks in sections of the house mean that installing a new set of pipes needs to be a top priority for any homeowner. A brand new network of pipes will help you avoid such repairs for many years if you hire our experts at Tampa Bay Plumber to help in repiping your home.
Lead Pipes
If your home has lead pipes installed, it is a vintage house! Lead pipes were the plumbing choice back in the 1920s. More environmentally friendly materials have since replaced them. Lead exposure poses potential health risks, including lead poisoning of children, affecting their mental and physical development, as well as serious issues for adults. Lead poisoning can be fatal.
Galvanized Steel Pipes
High oxygen content in water adversely affects galvanized pipes. They are likely to rust, causing your water to be reddish or brownish in appearance. The rusting and corrosion also make the lines vulnerable to frequent leaks and ruptures.
How Much Does Repiping Cost?
The first thing to note is that repiping costs depend on the size of the house. You should obtain an estimate from the contractor after the necessary inspections are complete.
The estimate should include the cost of materials, securing the necessary local government permits, and the labor cost. Most reputable plumbing companies offer free estimates.
Repiping an entire home (or installing new plumbing) will run anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 or more, depending upon the house size.
How Long Does Repiping Take?
The time we require to complete a repiping job depends on the size of the house and the scope of the repiping job. However, we can complete most jobs in a few days to a week. The process will vary, depending upon whether your pipes are in the walls or under the floors (in which case, we can access them from a basement or crawl space).
If they are in the walls, here’s our process. Before the work commences, we will safely cover your furniture and other belongings with plastic to protect them from debris. We’ll then break open the walls where the old pipes lie, remove them, and then (in most cases) replace them with the new piping.
Types of New Piping
The newest piping technology is a plastic material called cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing. PEX, which is flexible like a garden hose, provides greater heat resistance and long-term durability than other modern options such as copper or PVC piping. It’s also easier to install.
Choosing the Right Plumbing Contractor
Repiping a home is not a project that most homeowners can undertake independently, so it’s crucial to employ professional, licensed plumbers who have the skills and tools. At Tampa Bay Plumbers, we have serviced over 40,000 residents in Tampa City. Contact us today at 813-696-3634 for a professional Florida plumbing service that will put your mind at ease.
