Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, even the pipes in your house. No one knows that better than the professionals at Flow Pros Plumbing. You see, you might need to replace the plumbing in your home if it’s hazardous or old and made of materials like polybutylene or lead. Galvanized pipes tend to need replacement because those pipes fill up with all kinds of gunk, like rust, mineral deposit, and sediment. These deposits mess up the water quality and flow. And that is not good for you, your family, or your home. That said, cost and time are always concerns when needing plumbing repairs and replacement. We get that. Factoring the cost to replace the plumbing in a house will depend on the materials required, your home’s square footage, and your house’s age.
First, Know Your Homes Pipes
Before you can begin factoring the cost to replace plumbing in your home, there are a few things you should know. Supply Pipes that are under constant pressure can be the ones most likely to cause a main water leak and subsequent water damage when they leak. Below you’ll find the average lifespan of supply pipes and drain lines.
Brass– 80-100 years
Copper– 70-80 years
Galvanized Steel– 80 to 100 years
Polyvinyl Chloride (known as PVC)- 25-40 years
Cast Iron- 80 to 100 years
Of course, if your home’s pipes are older than the above years, that doesn’t mean you have to replace them. But the professionals at Flow Pros do recommend at least having a licensed plumber come out for a home inspection. That way, we can catch a problematic issue before it damages the pipes and home any further.
Factoring the Cost to Replace Plumbing in Your Home
Other costs that will be a part of your final charges are the labor, materials, and sometimes a diagnostic fee. Everyone’s prices are different, but we guarantee the best price possible. It is essential that homeowners not merely look for the least expensive plumbing company but one with a good reputation and professional experience.
Clearly, everyday life creates wear and tear on your home’s plumbing system. It’s common, as a homeowner, that you will at some point face one or more of the following situations. So, budgeting for future plumbing endeavors will help secure your future and the future of your home.
Best Times to Replace Pipes
In the end, to determine the best time to replace your pipes, you’ll need to rely on a trusted plumber to advise you on the correct time for a pipe replacement. There are a few ways you and your friendly plumber can manage the cost and mess that comes with the job.
Here are a few suggestions to keep your home running smoothly during a pipe replacement.
Replace While You Renovate
When you are remodeling parts of your house, take this as your chance to inspect—and replace—any plumbing pipes you expose when you open the walls and floors. This includes the plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom you’re remaking and any pipes passing through the walls to feed upstairs bathrooms.
Because the pipes are exposed during the project, and the plumber is coming on-site anyway, the added cost may be only $250 to $1,000—a bargain, considering you’ve eliminated a hard-to-get-at problem area when you have the chance.
Replace Pipes That are Exposed
For homes with plaster walls, wood paneling, or other features that make it hard to access in-wall pipes, think about at least replacing pipes that aren’t buried in the walls.
Although it’s a big job, replacing exposed pipes in a basement, crawlspace, or utility room is straightforward because the plumber can quickly get at the pipes.
And depending on the configuration of your house, the plumber may be able to access most of your system this way. For a 1,500-square-foot, two-bathroom home, you’ll pay between $2,000 and $6,000 or more to replace the exposed plumbing.
Factor in Plumbing Issues
A Clogged Drain
Typically, a clogged drain is a simple obstruction blocking water flow. A plumber can usually snake out the affected drain for around $150 on average.
Unfortunate Plumbing Backups
Did you know it can cost several thousand dollars to repair or replace heavily damaged sewer lines? When it is revealed that a more extensive backup in multiple drains has occurred and the main house drainpipe is affected, expect to spend around $500 and $1,000. But keep in mind this can always change based on severity. This is more common in older homes with old sewer plumbing.
Problematic Leaks
Supply lines and drain lines occasionally cause leaks. A Simple p-trap repair can cost as little as $100—supply lines with a more severe leak cost around $500.
Faucet Repair or Replacement
A drippy faucet may need its internal components replaced. A plumber can do that for about $100 to $150. If the fixture is too worn out, a replacement installation will cost around $300, plus the cost of a new faucet.
Toilet Repairs and Replacement
Intermittent running water in a toilet is annoying and can cost up to $200 to fix it. If the toilet alone is the problem, plan to pay around $500, along with the cost of a new toilet, and to have it replaced.
Sump Pump Repair or Replacement
Sump pump repairs often come down to needing a replacement. There are a few moving parts. If the moving parts fail, the pump is typically no longer any good. Installing a new pump costs around $500, on average, to install.
Common Plumbing Appliance Repairs
Repairs and installs of appliances can cost between $150 and $400. The price will depend on whether the appliance needs a simple fix, hookup, or complete re-installation.
More extensive repairs, as you may figure, cost more money. Most homeowners will have to deal with one or more of these situations if they have lived in the home for several years.
Water Heater Repair or Replacement
Water heaters will use up their lifespan; any time after 10 to 12 years. It’s not uncommon to replace a water heater if you own a home.
Repairs can cost around $500 while replacing them start near $1,000 and can cost up to $7,000 or more when it comes to a more elaborate system.
Soft Water and Water Treatment System Repair
Only some have soft water and water treatment systems, but if you do, be prepared to spend between $500 and $1,000 to repair them if they fail.
Main Water Supply Line Repair
In many cities, central water supply lines are partially the responsibility of the city’s water department. That responsibility typically ends where the water meter meets the house’s plumbing. If your city doesn’t own it, or if you need to fix the pipes or valves beyond the meter, you can expect a $500 to $1,500 plumbing bill.
Main Drain Line Repair
If the main drain line in your home needs to be repaired, the money you’ll spend on the plumber coming out is often the least costly part of the equation.
Main drains are typically buried under the house, where access is difficult. Digging is required to reach the pipes. Then, putting the house back in place after the repair is likely the project’s more expensive part.
Sewer Repair
Some sewer problems can be fixed without digging up the ground. This is a complex situation because it’s still a high cost to do and not always possible. This is a big job, so plan to spend around $4,000 to $6,000 for a major sewer repair.
Less Common Repair Costs
The following plumbing repair items are less common. They won’t apply to every house; some are rare enough that we hope you’ll never have to worry about them. If you do come across these repairs, this is about what you can expect to pay.
Pipe Replacement
Here and there, small sections of pipes need to be replaced. This kind of repair can be done for as little as $300. If your entire house that’s full of plumbing needs to be replaced, it may cost up to $7,000. But this all depends on the house. If lead-based pipes are encountered, the law requires that they be replaced. This can add several hundred dollars to a simple repair.
Septic System Repair
Location and access to a septic system malfunction are significant factors regarding septic system repairs. These repairs average about $2,000.
Well Pump Repair
If your home’s water is supplied through an individual well and stops working, it’ll cost around $1,000 to repair it. This is assuming that major overhauling and digging aren’t involved.
Factoring the Cost to Replace Plumbing with Flow Pros Plumbing
An experienced plumber can help you pick the type of piping that will work for your budget and be a long-lasting choice for your beloved home.
No matter how beautiful the outside of your house is, it’s essential to make sure your plumbing is functioning efficiently as well. We would hate to hear about a pipe bursting and causing damage to your walls and floors.
If the water is flowing well in a home, it can be easy to forget about the pipes that you don’t see. Trust Flow Pros to inspect your home and educate you on the condition of your pipes.