Does Repiping Reduce Long-Term Plumbing Maintenance Costs?

The question in the title is a complicated one that does not have a clear black and white answer. Repiping probably reduces long-term plumbing maintenance costs, but it depends on why you are repiping. 

Old Homes 

For example, old homes that have pipe corrosion and narrowing of pipes have a multitude of problems for which plumbers may be frequently called: low water pressure, frequent leaks, and pipe failure. In this case, repiping definitely would save you money on long-term plumbing maintenance. 

When homes are repiped, different types of pipe are used than were used 100 years ago, and this newer pipe has a longer life. Newer PVC pipe is easier to install, and will not suffer the same problems like corrosion as copper pipe from years gone by. 

PolyB 

If you are repiping because of polybutylene pipe—which is known to fail—then you are probably not reducing long-term plumbing maintenance costs, but you are reducing your exposure to a major pipe failure, flooding, and the disaster that this entails, something that is hard to quantify. 

The reasoning here is the PolyB works fine, right up until it doesn’t work at all, and you have a major failure. It is more of a black and white situation, while the former example with an old home is more a case of years and years of small failures. 

The bottom line is that repiping does save you not just money but also headache and heartache, but differently depending on why you are repiping.

Please call us on the Lower Mainland at (604) 349-5325 if you are wondering if your home needs repiping or already know that you do. 

Repiping Vancouver is a division of 604FixLeak offering leak detection, plumbing repairs and restoration services in the Greater Vancouver area. Repiping Vancouver concentrates on whole home or office repiping. 

If you have any questions about this article or need some help with repiping in your home or office, call us today at (604) 349-5325.