How Copper Repiping is Installed

If you've suddenly lost water pressure in your shower, washing machine, kitchen sink, or garden hose, you may have several different issues. However, the most likely problem is that you need to have a copper repiping done. This means replacing all of your old iron pipes with copper ones. Copper piping is much better than iron pipes for several reasons. It's more durable, it's more flexible, and it doesn't rust. This means you won't have to worry about getting rust in your drinking water or dealing with the possibility that your pipes will burst, causing hundreds of dollars in water damage and forcing you to have new pipes installed.

Copper repiping is installed in several different ways. First, the water to your home will have to be shut off. Doing a copper repiping may take several days, so you may need to find a temporary place to stay or at least to bathe and do your laundry while your pipes are being redone. You really can't do a copper repiping yourself. It really does take an experienced plumber to reinstall all of your pipes.

Before they begin your full copper repipe, the plumber will inspect your home to get an idea about the size and location of all pipes, especially any troublesome pipes or leaks. If you have leaks, they will shut the water off and dry up the area as much as possible—it's much easier to replace piping if the pipes and areas around the pipes are clean and dry. Air drying is best, but if you're on a deadline, they may simply mop up the water.

Once the plumber begins the process of copper repiping, you won't be able to use any water in your home until the process is done. Basically, the plumber replaces your pipes one by one until all of your galvanized lead pipes have been swapped out for copper ones. In some cases, the plumber may even reroute your pipes a bit. This is because copper piping is much more flexible and pliable than iron pipes and can be made to fit in places that iron pipes don't. Your plumber may make your pipes more efficient by making more direct pipe lines. This can help with your water pressure as well.

A full copper repipe can take a week or more, depending on the size of your home and the amount of piping that has to be replaced. It's also going to be fairly expensive. Some people wait to have a copper repiping done until the really need it, but you don't want to wait too long. If you put it off and your pipes start to rust and burst, you may have to spend a lot more money than you would have if you'd done a copper repiping earlier. As always, take the advice of your plumber.