Piping at your property may need to have maintenance or replacement, particularly on older properties and those affected by unexpected damage.  This short article covers some points to consider in re-piping your property.  Not all piping replacement projects have to be costly.  Trenchless technology can install pipes without need for much excavation.

Failure of piping is also possible for all types of pipes even though the largest failure was with polybutlyene “poly” water distribution systems that used plastic pipe with metal fittings and clamps that often failed.  Here in the southwest, many piping systems are located under slabs, requiring adding piping above the slap and sometimes opening the slab in some areas.  Need for pipe replacement can involve water, sewer, and gas piping.

When considering replacement of pipes, think about typical lifespans of pipe:

• Brass pipes                               40-70 years
• Copper                                       50-80 years
• Galvanized Steel                      50-50 years
• Cast-iron                                   80-100 years
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)        50-70 years

There are many options to consider in pipe replacement for your property that will affect cost, quality, and longevity of the repair.  Think about these questions with your plumber as you weigh options and make choices:

• If known, what caused the original problem or decreased the lifespan of the existing pipes?  How can it be prevented.
• Are the pipes above or below ground?    Should they be switched?
• Does the water or soil have an issue with being acidic or alkaline (pH).
• What is the hardness of the water?  Are there contaminants?
• Should pipes be moved to an alternate location or route?
• Are pipes exposed to the sun or extreme temperatures?
• Are pipes noisy?  Vibration from noisy pipes can loosen fittings.