Your drains aren’t draining, or maybe there’s a weird sewage smell in your house. Maybe you’re suddenly having problems with leaks. How do you know when it’s time to upgrade your plumbing system? There are a few signs you should watch out for. However, first, it’s important to think about the difference between an upgrade and a repair and when you might choose one over the other.
What’s the Difference Between an Upgrade and a Repair?
An upgrade usually involves a more involved overhaul of your system, while a repair is a fix that is usually quicker and less expensive. A simple example might be: patching a pipe is a repair, while replacing the pipes is an upgrade.
There may be times when you have to get a plumbing problem repaired as a stopgap measure. Maybe the cost of the upgrade is too much for you at present. However, keep in mind that if plumbing repairs become frequent, they could add up to more than the cost of an upgrade.
There are a few other factors to consider when you’re deciding between an upgrade and a repair besides budget and the frequency of the problem. One is your plans for the home. If you’re planning on selling soon, you may want to talk to your real estate agent about what they advise.
You might also consider an upgrade as a preventative measure. For example, if you live in an old house with old pipes, it may be time for an upgrade before you start to face major problems. On the other hand, some types of upgrades can be disruptive, and you might delay them until it’s a more convenient time. If you’re planning a renovation in the near future, that could be a good time to schedule plumbing upgrades as well.
An upgrade might improve your overall quality of life or energy efficiency, even if it’s not strictly necessary. For example, you might upgrade your plumbing by installing smart leak detection.
When It’s Time for an Upgrade
Your plumber can help you determine whether it’s best to move forward with an upgrade or a repair. However, there are a few signs that it may be time for a plumbing upgrade soon, even if you don’t schedule it right away. All of the symptoms below can have several different causes. In some cases, though, an upgrade is the best long-term solution.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure could be the result of something as simple as the main valve or one of the other valves in the house being partially closed, but it could also indicate more serious problems that might make a plumbing upgrade necessary. These problems could be linked to other issues as well, including clogged pipes, leaky pipes or corroded pipes. Older pipes might clog over time just because of buildup from minerals and debris. They might also be more likely to crack. If this is the case, you may want to consider having your pipes replaced.
Frequent Clogs or Slow Draining
It’s not unusual to get the occasional clog or slow-draining sink, but if this has become a regular occurrence, especially if it’s happening in multiple places throughout your house, you may need a plumbing upgrade. As with low water pressure, you might have buildup in your pipes. Another cause of drain problems is tree roots growing into your pipes.
Frequent Leaks
Leaks can cause a great deal of damage. Even worse, in some cases, you may not realize you have them until you notice water stains somewhere in your house, such as on your floor or ceiling. Leaks can be a sign that your pipes are aging to the point where it’s time to consider replacing them.
Rust-Colored Water
If you see rust-colored water, you may have old pipes that are starting to corrode. This is another sign that it could be time to schedule whole-house repiping services.
Water Tastes or Smells Bad
It may come as a surprise to you that even if your water has an unpleasant taste or smell, it’s not necessarily dangerous to drink. However, it’s also not very appealing. The taste or smell could be the result of chlorine that’s used to treat the water, or it could be because your water has a lot of minerals in it. You can get your water tested, and depending on the source of the problem, you may want to install a water softener, a whole-house filtration system or both.
Water that smells bad could also indicate problems with your hot water heater. This could mean it’s time for an upgrade to a new storage water heater or a tankless water heater.
High Water Bills
High water bills could point to hidden leaks, but they could also be a sign that you need to look for energy-efficient fixtures. You can get low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets. If you have one of the early low-flow toilet models, you might want to consider replacing this as well. Older models often did not flush very powerfully, and this could result in using just as much water as with a less efficient version. Newer ones work much better.
If you’re using a lot of water keeping your lawn green, consider upgrading to a smart sprinkler system. These can measure soil moisture and consult forecasts to determine how much water your lawn needs.
High Energy Bills
Unexplained spikes in your energy bill could be attributable to several causes, including HVAC issues, but it could also be because of an aging water heater that is growing less efficient. You may want to upgrade to a newer storage model or an even more efficient tankless water heater, which only heats as much water as it needs.
When Your Pipes Are Old
Old pipes might produce some or none of the problems discussed above, but it’s worthwhile to consider them in their own category. Even if you aren’t having any issues with them, you might want to replace them. They may be made of older materials that are no longer used, such as galvanized steel, cast iron or lead. The first two are prone to corrosion, while lead pipes could pose a health hazard, especially for children.
Polybutylene pipes, common from the 1970s to the 1990s, lack durability and are particularly susceptible to failure because of high water pressure or the presence of chlorine in the water.
Your Reliable Plumbing Professionals
Plumbing problems can stem from a variety of causes that range from the relatively minor to the serious. For this reason, it’s important to contact a plumber to diagnose the issue. Whether you’re in need of a plumbing repair or upgrade in West Boylston, MA, you can count on DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
We’re a family-owned company that’s been around for almost 100 years, and we work on both residential and commercial plumbing. We offer a variety of plumbing services, including pipe repair, excavations, fixture replacement, sewer repair, bathroom remodels and much more. We can help you determine whether a repair is a good idea or if it’s time for a replacement. When you need a plumbing upgrade or any plumbing service, reach out to DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for the best service around.
