Top Five Signs You May Need a Repipe
The first step in making any diagnosis is identifying and understanding the symptoms. Symptoms can be subtle or obvious and it’s important, especially when it comes to piping systems, to catch any signs of a potential problem before it becomes catastrophic.
To help you identify whether or not it might be time to consider a repipe, here are the top five signs to watch for:
Low or unbalanced water pressure
This is usually a sign of severely corroded metallic pipes. When corrosion builds up on the interior of the pipe, water output is greatly reduced to sinks, showers and more.
Scalding Showers or Extreme Temperature Fluctuations
Hot water lines often deteriorate faster than cold water lines. When these lines begin to deteriorate, corrosion debris gets trapped and lodged within the anti-scalding devices built into sinks and tubs/shower valves – preventing these devices from working as designed.
Discolored Water
Water that has a brown or red tint is a sign of corroded pipes. When corroded metal flakes off the interior of the pipe it causes water to be discolored.
Recurring leaks
When pipes begin to fail, they leak. However, many property owners mistake minor leaks as par for the course when it comes to plumbing. Although that can be the case in some instances, most often, if your building is more than 20 years old, minor leaks are the number one indicator of an entire piping network that is on the brink of catastrophic failure.
Noisy Plumbing
Pipes and plumbing fixtures are designed to be quiet. Noisy plumbing is a sure sign that something is wrong. Since pipes and fixtures are designed to function with a standard amount of both low and or high pressure, variances in pressure can make pipes ‘come alive’ with a variety of clicks, moans, screeches and thuds.
Plumbing is frequently taken for granted, and since most of your piping systems are buried within your property’s walls, it’s easy to ignore what your pipes might be trying to tell you. But instead of being complacent, listen to your pipes, as they might be trying to warn you of a pending disaster. And if you are experiencing any of these signs, consider a repipe, as it can save you money in the long run and is an unobtrusive solution to a potentially catastrophic situation.