WHAT IS REPIPING?

A repipe is a complete replacement of the water distribution system in a home. All pipe fittings, stop valves and supply lines are replaced. Most repipe jobs take around 3 days, and water is available during the entire process but for only a few hours at the last day.

WHY REPIPE?

There can be many reasons why you may need to replace the pipes of your home. Here are only a few:

- For homes with galvanized plumbing:
Most homes, build before the ‘70ties were plumbed with this type of piping. Galvanized iron pipe is an iron pipe coated with zinc to prevent corrosion. With time, the zinc coating gradually wears away, exposing the iron.

SYMPTOMS:

Low Water Pressure - The reason for low water pressure usually is the restriction of the water flow by build-up of rust and corrosion on the inside of galvanized iron pipes.

Rusty Water - Rust inside the pipes will flow right through your fixtures; you can be drinking and bathing in rust! This usually indicates an advanced stage of corrosion in the pipes.

Leaky Pipes - Leaks most commonly are caused by corrosion of the galvanized iron pipes. Hidden leaks can develop inside the walls, in the attic and under the house, running the risk of major damage to the home.

FOR HOMES WITH POLYBUTILENE PLUMBING

Polybutylene is a form of plastic which, twenty to thirty years ago, was thought to be the next great advance for plumbing pipes and fixtures. Polybutylene plumbing systems were installed in millions of homes before polybutylene was discovered to be highly defective. It was widely used from the mid 70's to the mid 90's across the nation. It is rarely if ever used today, but remains in many homes built during this period.

Polybutylene has, as it turns out, a relatively short life span, since chemicals in normal city-provided water causes it to harden and become brittle. The fittings usually go first, springing leaks, followed by the pipe itself. The pipe's tendency to burst has earned polybutylene a common nickname of "ticking time bomb" from plumbers.

Polybutylene plumbing consists of flexible plastic pipe, gray when used inside and black or blue outside, with plastic-and-metal fittings. Insert fittings are used to join pieces of polybutylene pipe. The insert fitting is inserted into the pipe and clamped with a metal (aluminum or copper) crimp ring over the outside of the pipe. Metal insert fittings are either copper or brass.