There’s no way around it: Re-piping your California home is going to be expensive. But just HOW expensive it will be depends on a lot of factors, including what plumbing company you use, what types of pipes you choose, whether there is other damage to repair, and so on. It is important that you take the time to do some research and talk to several re-piping plumbing companies in San Diego before you commit.
Here are a few things you need to know about the cost difference between repairing pipes and re-piping your home:
Pros and Cons of Repairing Pipes
Sometimes, simply repairing some pipes may be all you need. Something may need to be tightened, a joint may need to be replaced, or some new hardware may need to be put in. If that’s truly all that’s needed, repairing pipes can be a lot faster and a lot less expensive than re-piping.
The downside to repairing pipes is that, unless you are working with a plumber who’s really an expert and who has properly assessed the situation, you may just be slapping a band-aid on a much bigger problem. Repairing your pipes isn’t going to do anything for you if the leaks or other problems are caused by corrosion, poor design, or other structural issues. You are going to have to keep making repairs and wasting a lot of time and money in the process.
Pros and Cons of Replacing Pipes
The downside to replacing pipes is certainly that it is a much more expensive job than basic repair. You are putting new pipes throughout your home, and that is a big undertaking.
However, there are a couple of options for re-piping that can make it more affordable for most homeowners. Plus, re-piping addresses basic structural issues that will have a lot more benefits overall. Re-piping will put an end to the constant repairs you are looking at making, will improve the efficiency of your water consumption, and will protect your home from additional (expensive) damage.
The Costs of Copper Pipes vs. PEX Pipes
Whether you are replacing your pipes or repairing them, PEX piping is almost always going to be less expensive than copper piping.
Copper is just a much more valuable material. It has a long life span (20 years or so), and it was once the traditional piping choice. However, copper is very limited in its application. It cannot bend without creating joints and elbows, and that can make it very hard to install. You may not be able to use copper piping in some tight spaces. The more labor-intensive installation also contributes to the increased cost of copper piping.
Copper is also more prone to corrosion, which can cause it to fail prematurely or to require more repairs over time. That can add to your cost of ownership.
California PEX piping is a flexible yet durable piping that is much easier to install. The materials cost less, and because the piping does not take as long to install, those costs are also lower. You can spend less than $30 for 100 feet of PEX, compared with about $285 for the same amount of copper piping.
There may be some reasons why you would need copper piping instead of PEX, but we’re hard pressed to think of anything specific. The best thing you can do is talk to your plumber about the specific needs of your property and then get quotes for both re-piping options.
Whether you need to re-pipe or the repair your plumbing will come down to what is causing your plumbing to fail and whether you want a permanent fix or a temporary patch. If you have a big problem with your plumbing, some re-pipe repair may give you a quick fix for less money, but it will end up costing you more in the long run because the fix won’t hold for long.
Talk to the professionals at Integrity Repipe in California about your options for re-piping. We are a top re-piping company in Mission Viejo, and we work with all types of piping, including copper and PEX. Our plumbers will help you understand what the best options for you and will give you a free estimate on repairing or re-piping your plumbing. Give us a call in California today to learn more!
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Integrity Repipe Inc
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.integrityrepipe.com