Pipes don't last forever. Many older New Jersey homes still have original galvanized steel plumbing that's now well past its prime. Here's how to tell when patching leaks is no longer enough and a repipe makes sense.
Warning signs
- Frequent leaks in different spots
- Discolored or rusty water, especially first thing in the morning
- Declining water pressure throughout the home
- Visible corrosion on exposed pipes
- Older galvanized or polybutylene piping
Why old pipes fail
Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside out, narrowing the pipe and releasing rust into your water. Polybutylene, used in some homes from the '70s to '90s, is prone to sudden failure. Both are candidates for replacement.
What a repipe involves
Modern repipes use copper or PEX, which resist corrosion and last for decades. A plumber maps the system, opens access points, installs the new lines, and restores walls. It's a significant project, but it permanently ends the cycle of leaks and restores clean water and full pressure.
Is it worth it?
If you're spending repeatedly on leak repairs in an old system, a repipe often costs less over time than continued patching — and it protects your home from a catastrophic failure.
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