5 Signs You Need To Repipe Your Home in Arizona
Like most things in your home, your pipes won’t last forever. When they start to fail, they can cause significant damage to areas that are often hidden—such as behind walls, beneath floors, or within ceilings. By taking a proactive approach and replacing your piping before they corrode and burst, you can save thousands in structural repairs, plumbing fixes, and other home service costs. Here are some key signs that indicate it might be time to replace your pipes.
Not sure about the condition of your piping? Some signs that your Arizona home needs a repipe include:
- Frequent pipe leaks
- Your home is over 40 years old
- Pipes show visible signs of corrosion
- Rust-colored water from your water appliances
- You have polybutylene pipes
Sign 1: Frequent Pipe Leaks
The most obvious sign that your pipes are rusting through and need to be replaced is recurring pipe leaks. So how many leaks are too many? While there’s no exact rule, if you experience 3 or more leaks in less than 6 months, your pipes most likely need to be replaced. Plus, consider all the money you’re spending on unnecessary plumbing repairs.
Some leaks are easy to spot, while others are more subtle. Here are a few signs that may not be immediately noticeable:
- Low water pressure
- Higher-than-normal water bills with no noticeable change in water usage
- Mold and mildew (smell or visible signs)
To test for leaks, turn off all water appliances in your house and outdoors. Then, locate your home’s water meter and monitor it for 20-30 minutes. If the numbers go up, you have a leak. The faster the numbers rise, the larger the leak.
Copper Piping in Arizona Homes
In Arizona, copper piping is particularly prone to recurring pinhole leaks caused by corrosion. Be on the lookout for bluish-greenish corrosion on your copper pipes.
Sign 2: Your Home Is Over 40 Years Old
If your home was built more than 40 years ago, there’s a good chance that your pipes (except for PVC) have started to corrode. In Arizona, the lifespan of various piping materials typically falls within these ranges:
- Brass: 40-70 years
- Galvanized steel: 20-50 years
- Cast iron: 25-30 years
- Copper: 10-20 years
- PVC: Indefinitely
Sign 3: Visible Signs Of Corrosion
Widespread signs of corrosion on your home’s piping are a strong indication that repiping might be necessary. Check exposed pipes for visible signs of corrosion, which include:
- Bluish-greenish tinting (on copper piping)
- Rust-colored powder or markings
- Discoloration of any kind
- Flaking
- Dimpling
Sign 4: Rust-Colored Water
If you have steel or iron piping and notice rust-colored water coming from your faucets, it’s a clear indication that your pipes are rusting from the inside and need to be replaced. If the rust-colored water only appears with hot water, the issue might lie with a rusted-out water heater rather than your home’s piping.
To be certain, have a professional inspect your home’s plumbing to determine whether the rust is coming from your pipes or the municipal water supply.
Sign 5: You Have Polybutylene Pipes
Polybutylene is an inexpensive, flexible plastic used for residential piping from 1978 to 1995. However, it’s extremely prone to rupturing, which led to its ban under U.S. building codes.
How to tell if you have polybutylene pipes:
If your pipes are white plastic and include the letters “PB” in the printed label, you have polybutylene pipes and should consider having them replaced immediately.
ePIPE: A Superior Alternative to Repiping
While repiping is often necessary, there’s an innovative alternative that could save you time, money, and the hassle of extensive home repairs: ePIPE.
Pipeliners is proud to offer the ePIPE process, a trenchless technology designed to restore your existing pipes, offering the benefits of repiping without the need for extensive demolition. Here’s how it works:
Air Drying of Pipes: Air hoses are connected to the piping system, and preheated, filtered air is used to dry the isolated system thoroughly.
Corundum Cleaning: The dried pipes are cleaned using an air and sand mixture that sandblasts the inside surface of the pipes. This step prepares the internal pipe surface for proper bonding of the epoxy.
Epoxy Coating Applied: The final stage involves applying an epoxy lining to the pipes. Once cured, the pipes are reassembled, flushed, and pressure-tested. The result is a “new pipe within a pipe” that offers superior corrosion protection and safeguards your water supply from lead leaching and leaks.
Why Choose ePIPE Over Traditional Repiping?
Unlike traditional repiping, which can be invasive and disruptive, the ePIPE process is minimally invasive, preserving your home’s structure while delivering long-lasting results. It’s especially ideal for older homes where maintaining the integrity of walls, floors, and ceilings is crucial.
With a life expectancy of 50+ years and the added benefit of protecting your water supply, ePIPE is a smart, efficient, and cost-effective solution for homeowners in the Phoenix Valley looking to upgrade their plumbing without the extensive work involved in a full repipe.
If you’re noticing signs that your pipes need replacement, consider the ePIPE system as a reliable alternative to traditional repiping. Contact Pipeliners today to learn more about how ePIPE can save you time, money, and the hassle of a major home renovation.
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