The thought of repiping your home can seem like a daunting task, but there are many benefits to getting this done ahead of potential problems.

In this article, we outline reasons why you may want to consider repiping, how to tell if your pipes are in urgent need of repair, and what the process is like for our professional plumbers at John G. Plumbing to repipe your property.

Is it worth it to repipe a house?

Absolutely! Some older homes contain pipes that have become fragile over time. A burst pipe is a preventable issue in most circumstances. If you do not fix pipe problems, they can cause severe damage over time.

Some potential problems may include:

• Black mould, potential health issues
• Structural damage (burst pipes, water damage)
• Increased insurance costs for outdated materials
• Reduced property value

The long-term solution is repiping, which is a complete replacement of the water supply system.

Benefits of Replacing Old Plumbing

Aside from preventing problems, there are some immediate advantages to upgrading your pipes. If you have old galvanized, lead, Kitec, or poly-b pipes, you’ll want to upgrade to PEX as soon as it is financially feasible.

Re-Piping Advantages

Improved Water Pressure

You will notice an increase in water pressure when filling bathtubs and sinks. Your toilet will fill faster and your shower pressure will be much stronger.

Increased Hot Water

Repiping usually increases the flow into your hot water tank, allowing it to heat the water much faster.

Cleaner Water

This is especially true if you have aged lead pipes. Over time, some of the material can deteriorate and contaminate your drinking water. New pipes do not have this problem.

Lower Maintenance

A repiped plumbing system should be relatively maintenance-free for years, saving you money on consistent repairs. This is due to newer materials, a more efficient setup, and better rates on your home insurance.

Peace of mind – Increase your property value!

A typical home-buyer does not want the handyman special. Usually, buyers will only agree to renovations if it is something aesthetically pleasing they can benefit from. Pipes hidden behind the walls are important, but they’d rather spend their money elsewhere. If you do this job ahead of selling your home, it can be a major selling point.

What are the signs of a plumbing leak?

Be aware of the following warning signs if you think your pipes are leaking – you might need repiping:

• Low water pressure or low flow
• Higher water bill
• Damp walls, floors or ceiling
• The water meter runs when the water is off
• Discolored water
• Water stains on tub or sink
• Smelly water or musty smell
• Greenish colour surface on pipes (green spots on the pipes)

What causes pipe problems?

Slab Leaks

Slab leaks refer to water leaking through your foundation. In BC, this can be caused by minor earthquakes, an inadequate installation job, soil shifting, or reactions between old pipe materials and the surrounding chemicals in the soil. As expected, older homes tend to see more slab leaks than newer builds.

Acidic Water or High Water Flow

Acidic water can produce a corrosive effect on copper piping and slowly cause pipes to fail. This can impact the entire plumbing system with pinhole leaks, which are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Additionally, high water flow can slowly erode the interior of your pipes from the constant friction. This also makes them less durable over time.

Undersized water system

Are your pipes too small? If they are, it can cause major issues. Too much pressure can cause weakened pipes to burst. Small pipes can also lead to decreased water pressure, so it is important to ensure your pipes are the correct size for your household.

Change to PEX piping: what are the benefits of PEX

PEX pipes are very durable and flexible. They are the industry standard for repiping homes because they offer numerous benefits at an affordable price. Copper is another option, but PEX has several advantages over copper that can’t be ignored.

PEX pipes benefits:

• resistant to extreme high and low temperatures
• does not transfer heat as quickly as copper which conserves energy
• resists scale build-up (common with copper pipes), and does not pit or corrode when exposed to acidic water
• more resistant to breakage caused by freezing than copper pipe
• less chance of leaks and very efficient
• water flows more quietly
• provides fast-flowing water and can reduce your utility bills due to its efficiency
• environmentally friendly
• more cost-effective than copper pipe
• safer to install because a torch is not needed to secure connections
• more affordable than plumbing with copper because the material is more cost-effective
• Requires less effort from plumbers to install a new plumbing system using PEX pipes (saves on labour costs)

“My drainage pipe was leaking into the two foot crawl space. John gave me options as how to repair it. He set aside time in his busy schedule to complete the job in one day. It was a difficult dirty endeavor. John did a fine job. I would use his plumbing services again. Thanks!”
(Client Review)

The Repiping Process With PEX Line Plumbing

In a nutshell, this is the process for repiping with our plumbers at John G. Plumbing.

1. Onsite Visit
2. Repiping Estimate
3. Preplanning and Installation Plan
4. Repiping Preparation
5. Repiping
6. Water System Testing and Inspection

Our plumbers are thoroughly trained, friendly, and take pride in their work. If you have any plumbing concerns in your home, please contact us for a free estimate. In addition to repiping, we help clients by repairing kitchen and bathroom pipes, installing new fixtures like toilets and dishwashers, and having a certified gas fitter on hand for gas line installations and tankless water heater hookups. Give us a call to get started!