Buying a vintage home in San Diego might be your dream as a homeowner,
but older homes do come with some structural, electrical, and plumbing
concerns. Depending on the state of the home’s pipes and plumbing,
you may want to consider whether or not to repipe your home. Here are
a few of the reasons this home repair project might be necessary.
Lead Pipes in the Home
Lead pipes were popular in older homes because of their sturdy design,
but these pipes also introduce lead into your home’s drinking water.
While you can bathe and wash your clothes with water sourced from lead
pipes, cooking with and drinking the water is hazardous. Fitting your
home with new pipes isn’t as expensive or complicated as you might
think, and plumping experts know exactly how to handle this project for you.
Old Brass, Copper, and Galvanized Steel Pipes
Many people think that brass, copper, and galvanized steel pipes last forever.
While they definitely have long lifespans, they too can get old and begin
to deteriorate. If you have purchased a Victorian home on the West Coast,
there is a chance that your home’s original plumbing and pipes need
to be replaced. Here is a breakdown of how long these supply pipes last:
- Galvanized steel lasts approximately 100 years
- Copper lasts approximately 80 years
- Brass lasts approximately 100 years
If you aren’t sure how old your piping is, you can hire a plumbing
expert to inspect your home to help determine if you need to repipe or
repair your home’s plumbing.
Leaks
Leaky pipes are the enemy of homeowners, and in some cases, you’ll
find that your pipes need to be replaced. A common misconception about
leaky pipes is that the leaks only occur at the junctions between pipe
connectors. While this is true in some cases, it isn’t always true.
If there is a breach in the walls of your pipes, they will need to be
replaced. Holes and cracks in supply pipes and water lines often occur
in older homes that haven’t been maintained over the years.
If you own a vintage home in San Diego, you might need to repipe your home
to restore the plumbing and prevent water damage from occurring. Talk
to a plumbing expert to see if this project makes sense for your home.
Handling plumbing problems before they get too big can save you a lot
of money—and headaches—in the long run.