When Should I Replace My Old Plumbing?

How do you know when it’s time to replace your plumbing? Unless you are living in a home built less than ten to fifteen years ago there is a chance your plumbing could be starting to suffer from the natural wear and tear that comes with continually being exposed to high-moisture environments. 

Why Replacing Your Pipes Is Important

Old plumbing systems can cause a variety of issues around the home ranging from leaks and their associated damage to a lack of water pressure, poor drainage, blockages and much more. These problems are highly likely to make everyday activities such as showering and flushing the toilet far more bothersome than necessary and can sometimes come with much more severe financial and structural consequences. 

Failing to replace pipes facing old age deterioration can lead to significant water damage that could affect floors, walls, ceilings, foundations and gardens. In most cases, the cost of repairing water damage will end up being far greater than the expense of replacing your plumbing. Old plumbing pipes can also have an effect on your health. The older the pipes, the more susceptible they are to corrosion, rust, and bacteria and the associated health risks.

9 Signs Your Plumbing Might Need Replacing

Even if there are no obvious leaks or damage, that doesn’t mean there is nothing wrong – it’s the hidden damage that can cause the biggest/most expensive problems! Here are just a few of the tell-tale signs to look out for when deciding whether it’s time to replace the plumbing in your home.

1. Water Discoloration

One of the most noticeable signs that there might be some issues with your plumbing is the discolouration of your water. If the water coming out of the tap is anything other than clear (for example, with a brownish, yellowish or reddish tint), this is a clear sign something is up with your pipes. The good news is this is an easy one to spot early on. 

The most likely cause of water decolouration is corrosion in the pipes, where the water collects rust as it runs through. Avoid drinking any water with a noticeable tint, and call a professional plumber for further inspection.

2. Continual Staining Of Fixtures

In some instances (usually dependent on water source), mineral deposits can accumulate or cause corrosion in your pipes, resulting in staining of fixtures such as toilets, baths, showers and sinks. Other than the apparent stains, mineral deposits can cause unseen damage, eventually clogging pipes, restricting water flow, or leading to corrosion if left untreated. 

While not an immediate problem, it does pay to be aware the build-up of mineral deposits and potential corrosion that can result in weak spots developing within your plumbing system, which could eventually lead to bigger issues such as burst pipes.

3. Unexplained Odours

As a general rule, the water coming out of your taps should be pretty much odourless. If you notice any odd smells coming from your water, this could mean there is a build-up of bacteria or fungal overgrowth (mould) in the taps or pipes.

Avoid drinking, showering, and washing dishes or clothes using water with a noticeable odour, this could be a serious hazard to you and your family’s health. Call your plumber as soon as possible to get the situation resolved.

4. Different Types Of Plumbing Materials

There have been a number of different types of materials commonly used for plumbing over the years, so depending on when your house was first built, you might find unwelcome news when inspecting your plumbing. Most modern homes will have stainless steel, copper, or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes; therefore no longer pose a significant contamination threat to your drinking water. However, older houses commonly used cast iron, lead, and galvanized steel (pre-1980s). These kinds of heavy metals can be transferred to your water as it flows through the pipes and are toxic to humans. 

It is interesting to note, however that it has been reported that lead is still present in New Zealand’s drinking water even though the majority of pipes are now PVC-based. This is likely due to the continued use of lead/heavy metals in some plumbing fixtures (such as lead-based welding solder, faucets/taps, and pipe fittings) along with external sources bringing lead-contaminated water into your home. This means contamination can still occur even in newer homes - the good news is that the government has indicated the Building Code will see a necessary transition to lead-free plumbing products in contact with drinking water.

5. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be attributed to a number of things, so it requires some investigation. It could be as simple as a clogged pipe or water source issues; however, it can also be due to slow leakage in the pipes or connections. Water leakage might be from small pin-sized holes due to corrosion or the breakdown of materials holding the joins/connections together – all will result in a reduction in water pressure, which will only increase as the leaks get bigger. 

It is essential to address the possibility of leaks quickly as they can also lead to damage (mould growth and rot) in other parts of the building, such as the foundations or framing. Continual low-pressure problems will require the attention of an experienced plumber and video inspection equipment, which can help get a better view of what’s going on inside your pipes.

6. Water And Sewage Leaks

Outdated fixtures and old plumbing pipes can result in water (or sewerage!) leaking continuously as it flows throughout your home. Leaks coming from exposed pipes and visible areas of your plumbing might be obvious, but the majority of your plumbing is located out of sight. Common places leaks are encountered are in walls and ceilings, under floors and also underground. Signs of leaks in these cases might be low water pressure, unusually high water bills, slow-draining baths, stains on ceilings or walls and even an unusually green patch on your lawn.

Leaks can indicate underlying damage in the plumbing system, which could include clogged up drains, corrosion or faulty materials – if you discover a leak, it can be a good sign parts of your plumbing are beginning to fail – which, depending on the cause, may indicate the rest of the system needs an upgrade.

7. Cracking

Cracks and apparent deterioration in plumbing pipes are pretty easy to spot when the pipes are exposed, but not so much when located underground or in the internal workings of a building. A cracked pipe will almost always result in water dripping through the crack as it passes, which will likely be spotted eventually as a slow leak. 

As with our mention of leaks earlier, keep an eye out for wet spots on the floors and walls, unusually high water bills and green patches on your lawn etc. If you notice any damp spots, call a professional immediately, as water build-up can lead to much more serious damage. 

8. Slow Drainage

Just as old plumbing can affect the water coming out of the tap, they can also affect the water draining back into the system (sewerage or grey water). Old pipes facing deterioration and corrosion that have developed cracks, holes or leaks can be the cause of slow drainage problems where water flow is slowed or even backed up. 

Slow drainage can also be an indication of major obstructions in the pipes, such as tree roots that have grown into them (which could eventually cause the pipes to collapse completely).

9. Corrosion

Water with high acidity or low mineral content is particularly corrosive to fittings and pipes. Ongoing corrosion can lead to leaks, breakages and general deterioration. Now, you might be thinking corrosion only affects metal pipes, but generally speaking, plastic pipes also face their own form of corrosion in that their lifespan is limited, the PVC will eventually begin to break down and deteriorate.

As a general rule, you can expect PVC pipes to last around 50 years before they might require some attention, copper pipes will last around 80 years. If corrosion is suspected, then it is always best to get a professional to check before encountering more serious problems.

How To Check Your Pipes

Although it is difficult to get a good idea of the condition of your pipes as they are generally hidden from sight, it is possible to use any exposed pipes as a rough guide. There is a pretty good chance that you will find some exposed pipes somewhere around the home. These pipes will indicate not only the types of materials used for your plumbing but also the general condition your plumbing might be in. If there aren’t any visible pipes, keeping an eye out for any of the signs and symptoms listed above will provide a starting point for further investigation.

Checking for odours, discolouration, flaking, dimpling, bumps and anything else that looks out of the ordinary is a good start. Also, keep an eye out for moisture, mould, pools of water or other obvious signs of deterioration. If there’s significant cause for concern, it might be time to start thinking about calling a plumber.

How Long Does Plumbing Last?

Regardless of the materials used in your house’s plumbing system, each of the products will have an expected life span that you can use to gauge roughly whether your plumbing needs upgrading. The exact lifespan of plumbing pipes depends on a number of factors, including daily usage, water treatment, the acidity of the water, the water source and the types of materials used (including the connectors), but the following figures can be used as a rough guide.

Typical lifespan of plumbing pipes:

· PVC (polyvinyl chloride) – 50 years 

· Copper – 80 years

· Galvanized pipes – 20 to 50 years

· Brass – 70 years

· Cast iron – 80 to 100 years

**Keep in mind these figures refer to the typical lifespan of the materials. They do not include other fixtures in the plumbing system, such as pipe joints and fittings, which generally require earlier repair or replacement.

Extending The Lifespan Of Your Plumbing

Whether it’s your cladding, roof, lawn or plumbing, regular maintenance and care is the key to extending the lifespan of pretty much all areas of your home. Regular plumbing maintenance can make it less likely that you’ll need a complete replacement any time soon, especially if you have a relatively new house.

Giving your plumbing a check-up and receiving routine maintenance once every 3 – 5 years is a good start, however, yearly inspections offer the best protection. 

Don’t delay necessary upgrades to your plumbing system until it’s too late - give the team at Plumbfitz a call today for all your plumbing needs. Our trained professionals will assess your current plumbing situation and give you sound advice on the best way forward.