One of the services we offer is whole house repiping. If that sounds like a major undertaking to you, well, it is. But there are times when it is absolutely necessary for maintaining a functioning plumbing system, especially in an older house. And although it is called “whole house repiping,” you may have some inaccurate ideas about exactly what it includes.
Today, we’ll explain the reasons for having your home repiped, and go over the details of what is included in that job and what is not.
Plumbing Before 1970
Home plumbing used to be made of cast iron or galvanized steel. These are sturdy and effective materials, but over the decades, they are vulnerable to corrosion. If your home was built before 1970, it likely contains a lot of these pipes, and getting a whole house repipe in Albuquerque, NM can save you the hassle of dealing with one leak after another as each pipe deteriorates.
Plumbing Before 1996
Polybutylene was used in many homes between 1970 and 1996. It was a less expensive alternative to copper, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t sturdy enough to keep up with decades of use. After it was installed in about ten million homes, its tendency to rupture caused it to be banned. It’s a good idea to have your plumbing inspected if there’s any chance your home has polybutylene piping.
Plumbing Before 2005
Kitec piping began to be recalled in 2005. If you’re not sure whether this exists in your home, check for blue cold water lines and orange hot water lines which are connected with brass fittings. The recalls occurred for three reasons: the brass fittings were corroding, the piping deteriorated from normal levels of water pressure, and the hot water lines deteriorated under normal hot water temperatures.
Components Included in Repiping
The parts of your plumbing system that will be replaced include all water lines from where the main line enters your house. This means hot and cold water lines heading to your baths, showers, sinks, dishwasher, washing machine, and more. It also includes new valves for your sinks and toilets, a new main shut-off where the water enters your home, and even water lines to your outdoor faucets.
Today’s pipes are either copper (which has antibacterial properties and is very resistant to corrosion) or more reliable types of plastic known as CPVC and PEX. These materials will allow your piping to work beautifully for many, many years.
Components Not Included in Repiping
It is simply the water lines that are replaced, so the fixtures themselves, such as faucets or toilets, are not included. Drains and sewer pipes are also not part of the repiping process. If you are concerned about parts of your plumbing that are not included in whole house repiping, we’d be happy to discuss how we can help to resolve those issues for you.
Contact Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today with any questions about repiping.
