Nothing in a home lasts forever, not even the plumbing pipes – though drainage pipes are made from strong, durable materials that guarantee decades of problem-free operation, your tubing will eventually get corroded, deformed and the parts of your plumbing system can also develop rust and unwanted, hard to notice leaks. If you are not sure whether you need to get your old pipes replaced, here are some signs to indicate that you will soon need to get your plumbing system partially or completely replaced.

The Age of Your Pipes

Like any system in your home, your plumbing pipes can stay healthy and efficient for the period that the materials they are made from are warranted for. Brass, copper and galvanized steel pipes can work for 80-100 years, while PVC pipes have a much shorter lifespan, usually being able to serve you for about 25-40 years. However, the fact that your pipes are approaching the end of their lifespan does not mean that you have to get rid of them – well-maintained pipes can live much longer than their forecasted lifespan.

Signs of Damage

While water pouring through your wall is a clear sign that an old pipe in your home needs be replaced, not all types of tubing damage is so obvious, in some cases the sign that indicates the damage takes the form of a small damp patch or a discolored wall area in a hidden part of your home, such as e basement. The best way to ensure that your pipe damage is captured on time is to regularly inspect the walls in which your pipes run and to address any dampness or discoloration in time. You should also be alarmed by any change in the taste, the smell and the color of the water that comes from your taps – if your water starts smelling foul, if it becomes brown or yellow, if you notice rust particles in it, you are probably faced with pipe damage and you will need to start looking for and replacing your old pipes soon.

Remember that most probably all or most of your pipes are of the same age, so if one of your pipes develops a leak or becomes otherwise damaged, you are likely to encounter the same problems with the other pipes as well.

Timing Your Pipe Replacement

There is no perfect time for extensive plumbing pipe replacement, but perhaps the best time to get it done is while you are renovating. Renovation and remodeling projects usually involve extensive work in and on walls, so having an ongoing project is a great opportunity to include pipe replacement, too. If you are not planning any such major remodeling project, you can turn to a Denver plumber that is familiar with the modern, non-invasive technologies used for the assessment of the condition of plumbing pipes – with these special methods, your plumber can locate the pipe section that causes problems and you will be able to replace only the damaged section as a temporary solution.