When Should You Upgrade Your Water Pipes?

Water pipes are something most homeowners tend to forget about because they are “out of sight, out of mind.” When they work, they are invisible and unnoticeable, providing the water needed to make coffee or take a shower without a thought. But water pipes don’t last forever, and sometimes the best thing you can do is get some professional Crofton plumbing services to upgrade your water pipes with new lines.

But when is the right time to do this?

Visible Problems

The first sign that it’s time to consider a water pipe replacement is if you see a big problem with the water itself. Discolored water coming out of taps means an issue with the pipes somewhere. If the discolored water is only from hot water, the problem may lie with the water heater, but if it’s affecting everything, even toilets, there is an issue with the pipe.

Defects

If your home has exposed water pipes, you can more easily tell when there’s a problem or not. It’s common in many homes, for example, to have exposed water pipes visible in an unfinished basement. In this situation, it’s very easy to inspect for dents, discoloration, or other defects that might not be visible in pipes running inside walls.

Age

Finally, pipes are built to last, but they won’t last forever. Depending on the materials used for the water pipe, the lifespan of water pipes varies:

Galvanized steel pipes: Last between 80-100 years
Brass pipes: Between 80-100 years
Copper pipes: Between 70-80 years
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX): Between 25-40 years
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Between 25-40 years

In many cases, the lifespan of a pipe will be beyond the time people spend living there. However, it’s important to keep track of when a pipe’s lifespan is up because getting Crofton plumbing services to upgrade water pipes isn’t just a matter of adding property value but also one of health and safety.