Pipe Repair vs. Replacement: Which Will You Need in Your Sacramento Home?
Published on December 5, 2013
Older Home? Constant Pipe Repairs? If So, You Are Better Off Getting a Replacement
Knowing you have a plumbing problem in your home probably causes you quite a bit of stress, especially if the issue involves your sewer or water main line.
Just because you are having a plumbing problem, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to repipe your entire home. There are some instances where repairs will easily do the trick. But, of course, sometimes your situation will call for a pipe replacement.
So, how will you know which one you need – a repair or a replacement? That’s what we’re here to tell you!
Repair vs. Replacement
Repair:
There are three common piping problems that can easily be repaired – scale, leaks, and tree root infiltration.
- Scale and calcification: This is something that just happens to pipes over time. Scale starts to build up on their interior lining and eventually causes clogs. The continued buildup of calcification and scale also causes the interior to thin out.
- Leaks: There are many different methods to repair a leak, one being cured-in-place piping. This involves applying an epoxy lining to the interior of the pipe (without any destruction) and installing what is essentially a new pipe that is resistant to cracks and leaks.
- Tree root infiltration: Pipes have the three things trees need to grow – oxygen, moisture, and nutrients. Once they make their way in, they grow and expand until they eventually clog your pipes right up. In fact, if roots are in your main sewer line, chances are you will have multiple backups in your home. Fortunately, though,this problem is easily resolved by water jetting your pipes. We will send high pressurized water quickly down your pipes completely eliminating all obstructions, and restoring them back to their original condition.
Replacement:
While the above problems can typically be solved with just some minor repairs, if the damage has been prolonged, sometimes leaks and cracks will end up resulting in a replacement. But, what other instances will you need new pipes?
- Older homes with older pipes: If your home was built in the 1900s, you probably have lead pipes that need to be replaced immediately. They carry the risk of lead poisoning that you don’t want your family exposed to. Also, old piping is inefficient and more prone to problems. Save yourself the aggravation and get that old plumbing out of there.
- Orangeburg piping: This type of material hasn’t really been used in new constructions since the 1970s, and is a common reason for pipe failure. Because it’s outdated, and there are other sturdier, more reliable options out there, you’d be better off having these types of pipes replaced.
- Constant repairs: Are you calling in a plumber to fix a leaky pipe or other plumbing problem fairly often? If so, that probably means your piping is not in good condition anymore, and it would be more cost-effective for you to just have them replaced all together.
- Polybutylene pipes: If your home was built between 1970 and 1990, you might have these types of pipes that have been proven unreliable and prone to breaking. This material needs to be replaced with approved, safe piping.
Not sure if you need a repair or a replacement? Call our team of expert plumbers today and we’ll let you know! At Boyd Plumbing, nothing is too much for us to handle. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we’re here for you!
