Everyone is familiar with the repair or replace debate- when you have a leak, is it better to fix it or replace the entire pipe? This is a common question because, after all, why would you want to replace something you could repair? However, fixing something that will break in a few days is not a good idea either.
Understanding whether you should fix a leak or replace the pipe is a tough decision, and the stakes could be high. Here is everything you need to ask yourself before you make your final decision.
Is Your Pipe Made of Outdated Materials?
If your pipe is old and made of outdated materials, you must remember that old plumbing pipes become inefficient with time and tend to break more often. In fact, if you are not careful, they can be dangerous and cause a lot of inconvenience.
If your house is old and the pipes have been around since the 80s, there is a high chance that they include lead components that poison your water. Before you think about fixing a leak, pay attention to what material your damaged pipe is made out of.
It is vital to focus on non-pipe plumbing fixtures as well. What if you replace the pipe but have an old showerhead, water softener, faucet, or water heater? There is no guarantee that these old fixtures will be compatible with your new pipe. Think long-term- if you are planning on living in your house for the next decade, it is probably best to replace everything.
How Often Does Your Pipe Break Down?
Before you decide whether you want to fix a leak or replace the pipe, think about how often you are put into this situation. One leak in a year is nothing to worry about. However, if you have experienced several leaks over the year, you might have to replace the pipe. Hence, you need to keep track of the number of times you have repaired the fixture. Also, notice what happens when you repair the pipe- does another problem spring up?
It is typical for plumping pipes to leak, clog, and get corroded often. In fact, toilet clogs are more common than pipe clogs, and regardless of how many parts you replace, the leaks will not stop. Similarly, showerheads stop working even after you have cleaned them. It is common for water heaters to overheat, leak, or heat unevenly.
The key is understanding the kind of problem you are facing and how often it bothers you. Repairing a pipe does not make sense if you are back to square one within a few weeks.
How Long Will Your Pipe Last?
Even if you are 100 percent sure that once you fix a leak, it will not bother you for a while, you should figure out how old your pipe is and its estimated life. Even the toughest plumbing fixtures come with a limited lifespan. You might think that your repair problem is a first-off, but you never know; it could be the first sign that your pipe is deteriorating. Try to pull some documents so that you can check when the pipe fixture was installed, when your home was built, and how frequently the pipe is used.
Once you understand how old your pipe is, you can deal with the leak accordingly. This does not mean that you will absolutely need to replace old pipes, but you should keep in mind that, at some point, replacing everything is probably a good idea. Consider these things- how much time do you think you will get out of the pipe? What happens when there is a leak next week?
How Much Money Will It Take to Fix the Leak?
Money is important to all of us. After all, you need to stick to a budget and determine whether the cost of the repair can be justified. Moreover, ask yourself whether you will be living in the same house long enough that a replacement will be unavoidable. When that time comes, will you regret spending money on fixing the leak?
Of course, you might be able to predict how much money you will lose or save. However, you can make an educated guess based on the information you have gathered- the number of years you will spend in your current home, how old your pipe is, how often you have to fix a leak, and how much fixing each leak would cost.
If the leak is a minor issue, has not happened before, or you will be switching houses soon, you should aim to repair the pipe rather than replace it. However, if you are living in your forever home and are tired of the constant repairs, you might as well replace the pipe.
Final Thoughts
If your house is over 60 years old, you might have exposed pipes somewhere around the house. Usually, piping can be found in the basement, which you can check to understand the condition of pipes in your home. Before you decide whether to fix a leak or replace the pipe, we recommend checking all pipes for flaking, bumps, discoloration, dimpling, and anything that looks unusual.
You should also check for leaks and see if the pipes show any signs of moisture accumulation, as this may indicate that your pipes may be corroding or not sealing correctly. However, this does not necessarily mean that you need a complete piping overhaul; some pipes just need to be tightened. However, if you face significant leaks very often, you need to start considering replacing the piping in your house.
Remember, look for the signs mentioned in this article. Do not wait too long before replacing the pipe, as this could lead to lots of repairs and money down the drain. Keep your long-term plan in mind and work accordingly.