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One leaking fitting does not mean you need new pipes throughout the house. We start looking at the entire piping system when leaks continue to show up in different places; pressure drops throughout the house, or exposed plumbing pipes show corrosion.

If those problems keep showing up in your Yakima home, we inspect the supply lines to see if repiping is needed.

Some deterioration starts inside the pipe or behind walls where you cannot see it. Low flow, discolored water, and changes at several faucets tell us to check the supply lines.

How Long Do Plumbing Pipes Typically Last?

Galvanized steel, copper, PEX, and CPVC do not wear in the same way. Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside and becomes restricted as rust and mineral buildup collect lasting around 40-50 years. Copper does not rust like steel and frequently lasts up to 70 years or longer, but corrosion, pinhole leaks, and damaged connections still require attention.

PEX, CPVC, and other plastics have different wear points than metal piping and, at most, last 50 years with some only lasting 15 years. Connections, installation, water conditions, and previous repairs all affect what we find.

If you do not know what plumbing pipes are in your house, we identify exposed sections to determine their material. At that point, we will look for signs of deterioration before talking about replacement.

Signs You May Need New Plumbing Pipes

Problems showing up throughout the house tell us much more than one isolated leak. Knowing the signs of plumbing pipe issues can help you identify when it’s time to call in a Yakima plumber.

• Leaks in different areas: One leaking connection can be repaired. If leaks keep appearing in separate sections of pipe, we need to see how much of the piping has deteriorated.
• Brown or discolored water: Corrosion inside older metal supply lines is one possible source of discoloration. We check the main line piping instead of assuming the color is coming from the house pipes.
• Low water pressure: Corrosion and mineral buildup narrow the opening inside older metal pipe and reduce the space available for water to move through. If several fixtures have weak flow, we check for restrictions in the supply piping.
• Visible corrosion: Rust, green or blue staining, pitting, and deterioration around exposed pipes or fittings give us a specific area to inspect.
• Noisy pipes: Banging, rattling, or other pipe noise does not automatically mean the pipes need replacement. Pressure problems, loose piping, valves, and water hammer create noise too.
• Bad-tasting water: The water source and the house piping both need to be considered. Replacing pipes will not correct a taste problem that originates in the water supply.
• Little or no water flow: A badly restricted pipe cuts flow at a fixture. We check the valves and other restrictions before blaming the pipe itself.

When to Repair vs. Replace Piping

If we find one bad fitting or a short, damaged section with solid pipe around it, we focus the repair there. Replacing all of the plumbing pipes for one isolated problem does not make sense.

We look at replacement when corrosion, restrictions, or leaks keep appearing in different parts of the system. A history of repeated repairs shows us that pattern. The inspection tells us which piping is failing and how much needs to be replaced.

Older Yakima homes can have several generations of piping after additions and remodels. We check what is installed and when before recommending the next repair.

Benefits of Replacing Old Pipes in Yakima Homes

Replacing deteriorated piping removes sections that keep leaking or restricting water flow. If corrosion or mineral buildup has narrowed the inside of a pipe, new piping restores a clear path for water to reach the fixtures.

Replacement addresses:

• Recurring leaks caused by deteriorated pipe
• Weak flow caused by restricted supply lines
• Pressure loss tied to pipe restrictions
• Severely corroded metal piping
• Outdated piping that has required repeated repairs

During replacement, we correct poor pipe routing or previous out-of-code plumbing work found along the way.

Campbell Fixes Common Plumbing Problems in Yakima Homes

Homes across Yakima and the Yakima Valley vary in age and in the piping installed behind the walls. In West Valley, Terrace Heights, and other established areas, additions and remodels leave some houses with several generations of plumbing.

We look at the pipe itself instead of making a replacement call based on the neighborhood or age of the home. If you are seeing repeated leaks, widespread pressure problems, or corrosion on exposed piping, Campbell & Company will inspect the system and show you what needs attention. Schedule an appointment online or call us (509) 412-3146 today for a plumbing service.