Repiping Your Home? 5 Things to Know

Reading over job proposals carefully will ensure that you know the exact scope of work the contractor intends to do. With a repiping, you can expect that your contractor will replace only the clean water lines (also called supply lines or fresh water pipes).

In some cases, you can find a plumber who will also replace your drain lines, but this will likely be considered an additional job. Don't expect repiping to include new appliances, plumbing fixtures, or sewer lines either; those replacements are separate plumbing jobs.

The entire repiping job may take around five days for a larger house. This time frame can vary based on factors like how many workers are engaged in the job, how convoluted the original piping is, and what complications occur. Complications could include any unexpected damage plumbers find when they open up the walls, such as water damage and leaks.

However, for a small house and a straightforward repiping job, your contractors may only need three days or so. Your contractor can give you a closer estimate of the time needed after performing an in-person assessment.

If you start to research the different types of piping used in plumbing, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of possible materials. However, the choices narrow when you're only considering modern materials used for fresh water lines (as opposed to drains). For instance, galvanized steel isn't used any longer for fresh water lines.

The common piping choices currently used for fresh water lines in homes include copper and a couple of types of plastic, such as PEX. Your contractor can go over the pros and cons of each to help you make the best decision between these types of piping.

Once you know the scope of the job you're hiring for, you'll need to compare the offerings and availability of several different contractors. Then ask each candidate for a written proposal as well as asking about the warranties and insurance they provide. You don't want to hire a contractor who isn't insured or doesn't guarantee their work.

Remember, any manufacturer warranties on pipes may cover defective materials. But any problems caused by human error during installation won't be covered by such a warranty. So you'll need to look for a contractor that guarantees all their work, preferably with a written guarantee.

Typically, a contractor will make the repiping process go as smoothly as possible and will take care that your plumbing isn't disconnected from the water supply for any longer than necessary. So you won't likely have to go without supply plumbing all week. Talk to the plumbers about when the plumbing will be out of commission and for how long.

If your home is large and the plumbing is complex, the plumbing may be out of commission for longer, and you may want to stay with nearby relatives for a day or so. Or, you can prepare for any lack of water supply by bringing home a few extra cases of bottled water (for drinking) and filling some containers and your bathtub with water (to pour into the toilet for flushing).

These basics will help you navigate the repiping process from the beginning stages of looking for a contractor through to the end of the job when your water is turned back on. For more information on the repiping and other plumbing services we provide, get in touch with Art Douglas Plumbing Inc. today.