From Naglee Park and Willow Glen to the downtown area, San Jose is well-known for its charming older homes. However, one of the biggest problems these homes face is the lack of modernized plumbing systems. Many area homes have outdated galvanized steel piping, which is known to be a major source of plumbing problems and water quality issues. Full home repiping in San Jose is an eventual reality for aging homes in the area for many great reasons, which we’ll discuss below.
Understanding Galvanized Piping
Galvanized pipes in CA are very common because many of the area’s homes were built before the 1960s. Galvanized piping was a popular material due to its strength, affordability, and belief in being corrosion-resistant because it had a zinc coating.
However, decades have proven that the zinc coating wears away fairly quickly and leaves the pipes susceptible to corroding from the inside out. Most galvanized piping has an expected lifespan of 40 to 60 years with proper care and upkeep. With most area homes built pre-1960, this piping is well past its functional lifespan.
What Happens When Your Pipes Corrode
One of the bigger problems with galvanized pipes is that their deterioration tends to go undetected until it gets really bad. Unlike other areas of your home where you can see paint deterioration or missing shingles, internal pipe corrosion isn’t easily detected early on. As your galvanized pipes deteriorate on the inside, a few different things happen.
The internal diameter of the pipe will gradually shrink, as excess rust builds up on the inside. Those rust flakes can break loose and enter your freshwater supply. This can restrict your water flow and weaken the pipe walls. Eventually, the walls will get so thin they’ll develop a leak. That can be highly damaging to your home. San Jose is well-known to have hard water, which can accelerate the deterioration process. This can shorten the lifespan of your piping even further and make it more prone to leaks, bursts, or complete failure.
Signs You Need Repiping
As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the key signs that your home likely needs repiping service. One of the most obvious is discolored or rusty-looking water. This is the result of actual rust flakes inside your water due to the corrosion on the inside of your piping. Another common sign is low water pressure, as the build-up of minerals and rust inside your pipe can restrict the flow of water through it.
If you’re experiencing frequent leaks, even small ones, on a consistent basis, it typically indicates aging piping. If your water has a metallic taste, a strange odor, or any other quality issues, it can signal that you need pipe replacement service. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a good idea to wait until you experience a major plumbing malfunction to think about repiping your home. Rather, this is a service that’s best planned ahead of time to prevent major problems like water damage, mold remediation, and even structural repairs to your home.
Repiping vs. Constant Repairs
While it’s true that every plumbing system experiences problems from time to time that require repair service, it’s important to look at the pattern. If you’re calling every few years for an issue, it’s likely not a major issue that requires full-on pipe replacement.
However, if you’re calling every year or multiple times a year to repair plumbing leaks, it’s a key indicator that it’s time to upgrade your piping. Continuing to make repairs on an aging plumbing system is typically not a good investment of your money for the long term. Repiping is a better long-term investment that will greatly minimize your risk of major damage to your home.
New Piping Materials
Since galvanized steel has been shown to deteriorate, it’s been replaced with updated building materials. Two of the most popular materials for water delivery lines are PEX and copper. When it comes to your wastewater disposal system, PVC is the go-to material. Many local building codes require the use of these materials to ensure your home is properly up to code standards.
Understanding the Repiping Process
When you think about fully or partially repiping your home, the thought can be overwhelming. It can help to understand the process involved to ease your mind and allow you to take that step forward and schedule your consultation. All repiping projects begin with an initial inspection from one of our plumbing professionals to assess your existing plumbing system. For aging plumbing systems, full-home repiping usually makes the most sense, since even pipes that aren’t broken yet will be brittle due to age and likely to break later on.
We’ll identify problem areas, recommend the appropriate materials, and provide you with a detailed estimate for the repiping. On the day that we start your repiping project, we’ll carefully remove your old piping while installing new. Sometimes we may need to cut access points into your walls, floors, or ceilings, depending on where your piping is run.
If we can get your piping from an easily accessible location, that can minimize the need for finishing work once your repiping is complete. You can rest assured that everything will be installed up to current code standards, and the entire system will be pressure-tested for any potential leaks.
Repiping and Home Renovations
Home renovations and repiping service go hand in hand. Since renovations typically require exposing the areas behind your drywall where your piping runs, it’s much easier and quicker to replace your piping when your walls are open. This can significantly reduce the cost of repiping and finishing work.
Benefits of Whole-Home Repiping Service
Deciding to get new piping throughout your entire California home comes along with many great benefits. One of the most obvious is that it greatly reduces your risk of experiencing a major plumbing issue in the near future. New pipes are highly unlikely to leak compared to outdated and corroded galvanized steel pipes.
You’ll typically notice an increase in water pressure at all of your faucets, water-using appliances, and showers. Your water will be clearer and taste much better. You won’t have to worry about long-term exposure to contaminants or impurities like with your outdated piping. Getting new piping run throughout your home is a great way to increase its overall resale value.
Long-Term Solution to Hard Water
San Jose is well-known to have moderately hard to very hard water. This means it has an excessive amount of minerals that can deteriorate your plumbing fixtures and piping. Hard water can significantly reduce the lifespan of your plumbing system’s components. When you opt for whole-home pipe replacement, it’s a good idea to consider a water softener system.
This system is specifically designed to remove those excess minerals from your water supply. It’s typically positioned near your main water shut-off valve so that it can treat your water before it travels through the majority of your piping and reaches your plumbing fixtures. A water softener system is one of the best ways to ensure a long lifespan for your new piping.
Expert Repiping Service
Knockout Plumbing & Repipe Inc. provides expert repiping service for the San Jose, CA area. We can also assist with all your plumbing repair, new installation, and inspection needs. Just phone our office today to book your next service appointment with one of our helpful plumbers.
