Frequently Asked Questions About Repiping Your Home

Posted on November 4, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Repiping your plumbing is not something the average homeowner is well-versed on. In fact, it is typically only professional master plumbers who know the ins and outs of re-piping, including when and how it should be done. If you are wondering about the current condition of your home’s plumbing or think that a re-piping job might benefit the quality and performance of your whole-house system, your first step is to get the facts.

Continue below to review some frequently asked questions about repiping your home, including how to tell if you need to re-pipe, whether it can be done on your own, and what to expect from the process.

Plumbing Pipe Replacement and Reconfiguration

Re-Piping FAQS

Why Did My Plumbing Pipes Go Bad?

There are several reasons why plumbing pipes go bad. It can be due to old age, poor installation, incompatibility, material quality issues, corrosion, external structural damages, and much more. Only a licensed Indianapolis master plumber will be able to detect and diagnose what happened to your plumbing pipes in the case that you need re-piping services.

What Signs Suggest I Need Re-Piping Work?

The signs pointing towards re-piping needs are not always evident. The first thing you want to take into consideration is the age of your plumbing pipes. Although many plumbing pipe materials are designed to last up to 50 years or more, there are several external factors and variables that can reduce the lifespan of plumbing pipes.

The most common sense to look for when determining your need for re-piping work include water quality issues, water related appliance performance issues, increased utility bills for water and energy, noisy plumbing, and plumbing that is older than 15 years.

Should I Repipe or Repair the Plumbing?

In many cases, plumbing pipes do not require replaced, but rather repaired. If one or two plumbing pipes burst or incur some sort of damage, they can simply be replaced through trenchless piping or other repair techniques. However, there are other cases in which the whole house plumbing system should be re-piped. Talk to in Indianapolis plumber to determine the best course of action for your plumbing pipe renovation needs.

Can I Re-Pipe on My Own?

Absolutely not. It is imperative to hire a licensed and permitted master plumber for re-piping plumbing services to ensure that your house is up to code and safe. Professionals retain the proper resources, including training, equipment, and permits, to perform master plumbing work like re-piping and trenchless pipe repair. Never attempt to perform your own plumbing repair at this level of complexity.

Can I Live in My House While it is Being Re-Piped?

In order to re-pipe a home, walls will have to be torn down and removed. In many cases, plumbing companies work well to isolate areas of the home that are being worked on by organizing a calendar of scheduled work and utilizing safety-focused materials like plastic tarping and ventilation fans to mitigate work runoff. However, the job will be done much faster in homes that are being built or renovated since walls are not constructed yet. In most cases, it is recommended to coordinate alternative living arrangements if your home is being refitted for piping.

Do you have more questions about plumbing re-piping work in Indiana? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for plumbing repair and installation services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve both residential and commercial clients and offer free advice anytime!

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Is it Time to Replace Your Plumbing Pipes?

Posted on September 11, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

As a homeowner, you are responsible for all of the systems in your home. Among the most important is your plumbing. Residential plumbing systems are made up of various components that all play an important role, both individually and collectively. For this reason, and many more, it is important to maintain your plumbing system to the best of your ability.

With routine maintenance and inspection, you will be able to ensure that all of your systems are in good condition. You will also be able to tell when it is time to have certain components replaced. It is easier to identify a need for replacement in many of your home’s plumbing systems, such as the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, sump pump, and similar appliances.

However, components like plumbing pipes are a bit more challenging to supervise on a regular basis. After all, you can’t reasonably commit to crawling around your crawlspace, basements, and subareas of your property. For this, you will need the help of a licensed plumber who can diagnose plumbing pipe issues, and recommended necessary repairs and replacements to resolve any issues.

Although you will need to have a licensed master plumber inspect and service your piping, you can get a head start by learning more about plumbing pipe replacement. Continue below to learn the average life expectancy of plumbing pipes, and when you should have your plumbing system inspected for repair and replacement needs.

Indianapolis Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Average Life of Plumbing Piping

In order to know when you should have your home’s plumbing replaced, you must first confirm which type of material the pipes are made of. Different types of metals and materials vary in life expectancy, so avoid premature or needless replacement by learning which type of plumbing pipes you have.

? Which Type of Plumbing Pipes Do You Have?

↣ Copper – 50 Years
↣ Brass – 40 to 70 Years
↣ Galvanized Steel – 20 to 50 Years
↣ Cast Iron – 75 to 100 Years
↣ PVC – For life

Contact a Trusted and Licensed Indianapolis Master Plumber

Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for home plumbing inspections in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Our state-licensed Indianapolis master plumbers have been in the plumbing business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

Should I Replace My Home Plumbing System?

Posted on January 17, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

If your home is decades old, or you have owned your home for more than a decade, it may be time to have the plumbing system replaced. Fortunately, innovative advancements in the industry now provide easier, quicker, and cost-effective options for replacing plumbing pipes and components.

Continue reading to learn important facts about the average lifespan of common plumbing materials, and use this information to decide for yourself if it really is time for you to get new plumbing.

It can be hard to determine whether or not your plumbing system needs to be replaced, primarily because the majority of the pipes are concealed or underground. This means most homeowners become aware of plumbing problems when something goes wrong. The most common causes for requiring new plumbing is old age, improper installation, lack of maintenance, and poor quality materials.

A good way of knowing when it is time to have your plumbing system replaced is to learn the average lifespans of common plumbing pipe materials. The top five most common plumbing pipe materials are copper, PCV, brass, cast iron, and galvanized steel.

Here are there expected lifespans:

Galvanized Steel – Galvanized steel plumbing can last 20 to 50 years.

Copper – Copper plumbing can last up to 50 years or more.

Brass – Brass plumbing usually lasts between 40 to 45 years.

Cast Iron – Cast iron plumbing can last 75 to 100 years.

PVC – PVC (polyvinyl chloride) piping can last indefinitely.

Not sure what kind of plumbing material was used in the construction of your home? Just check the appraisal or inspection report that was made when you purchased. These documents would have detailed the type of piping material in your home. Can locate these documents? Just contact a professional plumber for an on-site inspection.

The best approach for assessing the current condition and performance of your plumbing is to contact a state-licensed master plumber in Indianapolis for expert evaluations and recommendations. They can determine your exact plumbing needs, including when it is time to have your plumbing system replaced.

Where to Get Trusted Plumbing Advice

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed Indianapolis plumbing inspections you can trust. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, provides a wide range of plumbing repair services for residential and commercial properties at the most competitive prices in town. We have been in business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

The Average Lifespan of Common Plumbing Pipe Materials

Posted on December 4, 2018 by weilhammerplumbing

At some point along the way of owning a house or building, you will have you ask yourself a very important question, which is “Do I need to replace the plumbing?” Regardless of a property’s intended use, the plumbing is a critical factor in the overall comfort, safety, performance, and value. But after some time, it does expire. Like most man-made materials, plumbing pipes are made from metals and polymers that come with a certain life expectancy.

If you want to know whether or not you need to replace your plumbing, it helps to learn the average lifespan of your plumbing pipes. Continue reading to get started now.

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Types of Plumbing Pipes

Whether commercial or residential, a failing plumbing system is a huge liability. Not only does it pose a long list of structural damages and costly repairs, it can also cause several health and safety risks. If your plumbing is old, it is in the best interest of your investment, as well as the safety of everyone around, to replace the plumbing when it has reached the end of its life cycle.

In order to determine when you need to replace your plumbing, you need to know which kind of piping material your property is fitted with. Lifespans of plumbing pipes can range from a few years to 100 years, depending on the material. The most common residential and commercial plumbing pipe materials include brass, cast iron, copper, galvanized steel, and PVC.

Here are the expected average lifespan of these plumbing pipe materials:

Brass – 40 to 45 Years
Cast Iron – 75 to 100 Years
Copper – 50 Years or More
Galvanized Steel – 20 to 50 Years
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – Indefinite

Plumbing Fixtures and More

In addition to thinking about piping material lifespan when deciding when the right time is to replace your plumbing, you must also consider various other areas that connect your plumbing to your fixtures, such as pipe joints, fittings, and mechanical components. These areas can also affect how soon you need to replace or repair your plumbing systems. Furthermore, if you notice an increase in plumbing leaks, cracks, and corrosion, you can assume it is time for some replacements.

Professional Plumbing Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; and as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.