Home plumbing systems can last for years, but they aren’t invincible. After a while, the pipes can begin to degrade and sustain damage. Unfortunately, this raises the possibility of leaks and complete failure. And if your home has polybutylene pipes, the problem can be far more severe than you might initially realize. If this is the case, it’s advisable to contact a plumbing company about whole-house repiping. When you schedule polybutylene pipe replacement before a serious leak occurs, you could save thousands in property damage.
Reasons for Whole-House Repiping
If you have an older home, you should watch for signs that it needs repiping. It’s smart to check your pipes every year as part of your spring cleaning routine. Inspect the length of each exposed pipe in your home for signs of discoloration, stains, or flaking. Dimpling is another potential red flag that can indicate pipe corrosion. If one pipe has begun to corrode, there’s a good chance the others will soon follow suit. Other possible reasons for whole-house repiping include:
- Brown or yellow water (indicates rust inside the pipes)
- Water source has a highly acidic pH
- Low water pressure
- Frequent leaks
- Home is 50-plus years old
In some cases, you should have your house repiped as soon as possible. If the home is old enough to have lead piping, for example, it needs to be addressed right away. Polybutylene pipes are another major problem that can only be fixed with whole-house polybutylene pipe replacement. If you’re concerned about your home, it’s a good idea to fix the issue quickly.
Problems with Polybutylene Pipes
Polybutylene is a type of plastic resin. If you’ve heard of it at all, it’s probably because it was once used to manufacture pipes. Polybutylene pipes were widely used in American homes from about 1978 to 1995 because they were inexpensive and easy to install. Unfortunately, homeowners quickly realized that these cost-saving pipes actually led to major repair costs. Polybutylene pipes have a tendency to fail prematurely to a catastrophic degree. The result can be thousands of dollars in property damage due to water leakage. If your home has this type of plumbing system, you should replace it as soon as possible.
Procedures for Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
The first step is to consult with the homeowner about scheduling concerns and replacement pipe preferences. Then, before the job gets underway, the plumbers will shut off water to the whole house. Some pipes, such as exposed pipes, can be removed and replaced with no impact to the rest of the house. To replace pipes that are hidden by drywall, the plumbers will need to cut into the walls to access them. The plumbers will not make any structural alterations to the house. As the project nears completion, the team will restore the drywall and ceiling materials. When they’ve finished the project, the home should look as good as ever. In some cases, it may look even better!
Tips for Scheduling Whole-House Repiping
A typical whole-house repiping job will take 2-5 days, depending on the size of the home. Sometimes, families delay scheduling major home repairs and renovations because they worry about the disruption to their daily lives. Plumbing contractors understand that scheduling a major project can be a hassle, so they work to make it as stress-free as possible. Each day when you come home from work, you can expect to have at least one functioning bathroom, as well as your kitchen faucet. While the disruption to your daily routine should be minimal, you may want to schedule the project for a time when you expect to be out of town. If you schedule the polybutylene pipe replacement for the week of your family vacation or a business trip, you can look forward to a finished house by the time you get home.
The team at Wood’s Plumbing will work with you to fit your polybutylene pipe replacement project around your schedule. Whatever the size of your repiping project is, our team can handle it. Our top priority is your complete satisfaction. We’re always professional, and we’re always on time! Would you like to learn more? You can request a quote for a whole-house repiping project in Tucson or the surrounding areas by calling our friendly office staff at (520) 682-2233.