Repiping in Homes: What Is the Purpose?

Cities are constantly upgrading their sewer and greywater systems, and San Diego neighborhoods are no exception.

Thankfully, the government maintains these thousands of linear feet of piping. But the pipes that run through your home and property need to be maintained by you. This means that at some point, you’ll need to consider repiping.

But what exactly is repiping? Read on to learn all about what this essential home maintenance service entails, from pipe inspection to replacement.

What Does It Mean to Repipe a House?

If you haven’t already guessed, repiping means replacing all the existing plumbing pipes running through your home.

These pipes carry sewage from your toilet and greywater from appliances like washing machines and dishwashers away from your home. They’re essential to making your house a safe and healthy place to live.

If these pipes aren’t functioning correctly due to degradation or blockages, they can cause leakage, flooding, mold growth, or even disease.

Signs You Have Damaged Pipes

In San Diego, there are several signs to look out for that indicate it might be time to repipe a home. These include:

  • You live in a house built more than 50 years ago
  • The water coming out of the tap is discolored—yellow, brown, or orange
  • Your water has a strange taste or smell
  • There are patches of mold or mildew on your walls, floor, or ceiling
  • You hear strange noises from inside your walls
  • You have low water pressure
  • You have leaks or flooding that keep coming back
  • You’re remodeling your home

Of course, these signs can also indicate other plumbing issues, so it’s essential to call professionals to undertake a camera inspection. They can examine your piping and diagnose the problem.

Getting a New Plumbing System

If your house needs repiping, it’s not a DIY job!

You need to hire a professional plumber experienced in repiping San Diego homes. That’s because each municipality has unique regulations, codes, licensing, and other requirements that must be followed.

So, what can you expect to happen during repiping?

  • A couple of days to a week of work
  • Complete water shut off—at least part of the time
  • Furniture and carpet protection
  • Wall, drywall, and floor drywall repair

Depending on the type of pipe installed—PAX, PVC, CPVC, or copper—the pipe might be able to be routed through existing channels in your walls or floor or may need new channels.

This is also an excellent time to consider other upgrades and installations, like new water heating or rainwater collection systems.

Repiping That Lasts Another 50 Years

Repiping is a big job requiring expertise in local plumbing systems and municipal regulations.

If you’re a San Diego homeowner experiencing any of the problems listed here, your home may need repiping. Happy Plumbing will send one of our experienced, licensed professional plumbers to your house to quickly and affordably diagnose the issue.

Learn more about our state-of-the-art PEX repiping services today.