When to Replace the Plumbing System in Your Home or Workplace
Plumbers are busy people, and you’ll often find them wading literally knee-deep in emergency callouts. To combat a 111 situation in blocked drain services, it’s best to know when you need a total replacement of your plumbing system.
Knowing when to replace your plumbing and pipes can be tricky. Calling professional plumbing or drainage services is always recommended before you put that brick in your toilet tank or use the leftover PVC from the yard. Sometimes a quick call is all you need to fix that pesky water leak or give your shower pressure a little more oomph, but there will come a time when you need a professional plumbing service to overhaul your plumbing system.
Ignoring the signs may just lead to your plumbing call-out becoming a larger headache than it needed to be. So, how do you know when the time is right to re-pipe? Instead of making it a plumbing emergency, why not make it a plumbing resurgency with a total overhaul of your house’s drainage system?
Let’s explore some of the signals you might need to replace the plumbing system in your home or offices.
What are the signs you need to replace your plumbing system?
1. Unexplained puddles, damp spots, or mouldy walls
If you’ve stepped into some unexpected pools and puddles, or you’ve noticed some non-commissioned mould art popping up around your house, it could be a sign your pipes are cracked or damaged. Water travels fast and, if left to its own devices, can lead to mould spore growth spurts or material damage, so addressing the issues quickly with a plumbing service replacement is a solid plan of action.
2. Whistle, Squeal, Drip. Taps that can’t stop, and won’t stop, leaking
Few things are more annoying than the constant “plink” of a drip or squeal when you turn off a faucet. However, those annoying sounds might be more of a help than a hindrance. Noisy plumbing is often one of the key signs your drainage system isn’t doing its job. It also means water wastage, so a professional plumbing service might not only quell the clinking but could also save you dollars in water bills! Plus, it’s your chance to be an eco-warrior!
3. Rusty pipes that just won’t rub off
Next time you’re giving your sink a good scouring, look for any flaking metal or pesky rust spots sticking around. Corroded metal isn’t as efficient, and it can even contaminate your water or lower your water pressure over time.
4. Low water pressure and constant clogging
Low water pressure can be another sign that your hot water system isn’t pulling its weight, but more often it’s a sign of leaky or clogged pipes letting water escape and inhibiting water flow. Slow drainage can also mean your pipes are clogging with unwanted sediment. You could ignore it, but most plumbing systems need a little TLC to clear the hard times.
5. Discoloured water and funky odours
A turn of the tap should see fresh and clear water gushing, never red, rusty, or even worse, brown. If you do notice a tinge of colour or a lingering metallic scent, the water heater may not be up to scratch. Hot water tanks use elements to attract and prevent debris from clogging your pipes. They can compromise your plumbing system’s water quality when they age or break.
How long should your plumbing and drainage systems last?
This question relies on many factors: when your house was built, the plumbing materials used, and the previous owners’ level of plumbing maintenance.
The type of material your pipes are made from plays the most important part in the lifespan of your plumbing system. In New Zealand, the most common piping and fittings are copper, which can last 50 years or more under the right conditions and with proper maintenance. It also depends on how well it was installed in the first place!
While copper is great and long-lasting, other materials are becoming more common in New Zealand homes and buildings. Polyvinyl Chloride (more commonly known as PVC) pipes started to take over Aotearoa in the last 30 years. The plastic nature of PVC pipes means they will technically last several lifetimes, but their weaker structure realistically means they can be more prone to cracks and general wear and tear compared to metal plumbing systems.
While copper and PVC are the most common pipe materials, some builds are using other materials that might affect when you need to consider a total plumbing replacement in your home.
When you’re buying a home, it’s always good to ask when the pipes were last replaced to give you a rough timeframe of when you should be looking to call in the plumbing and drainage experts.
Replacing your plumbing systems, locally and sustainably
If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs popping up around your house, it might be time to replace your plumbing system. Although DIY is often applauded, professional plumbing services are the way to go to make sure your plumbing revamp is top-notch and long-lasting. Many plumbing services will be happy to give a comprehensive quote and will cater their drainage systems to your specific needs.
Eco-friendly plumbing and solutions are becoming a hot topic with more Auckland plumbers, as well as those further afield, introducing greener solutions like solar panels to their plumbing services.
Pipeline Plumbing and Drainage have a range of eco-friendly options, and professional plumbing services to suit your home. Whether you’re doing the full plumbing replacement, or need that pesky tap fixed, you can arrange a free quote for most Auckland areas.