The pipes of your home run through every room, from your basement to your attic, through almost every wall, and even under your foundation. The idea of replacing every pipe in your home can sound impossible, but it does happen. The re-piping process is long and complex, but repipe specialists in Sacramento can replace old and outdated pipes with new ones. Wondering what that process looks like? Here’s what you need to know.
The Prep Work
When a project’s this big, you can’t just dive right in. Much prep work is required to prepare your home for the repipe itself. First, you’ll need a professional inspection and estimate. A plumber can inspect your entire plumbing system to determine just how much of it needs to be repiped. In many situations, only a portion of your plumbing may need to be replaced.
If you end up repiping the whole home, the plumber will have to secure a work permit from the city government. Then, you and your installers will select the material for your new pipes, which will also be factored into your repipe’s cost.
But the prep work isn’t done yet. It’s time to prep your home for what is, in essence, a major surgery. The plumbers will cover all areas in plastic to protect it from dust and debris. Some furniture may need to be moved to allow for proper access to plumbing areas.
The Excavation
Once the prep work is done, it’s time to start cutting out and digging in. This stage can sometimes be referred to as the demolition or excavation process, but it involves cutting into drywall to allow for access to your home’s pipes. If underground pipes are also being replaced, concrete may need to be broken up, and soil will need to be removed to access those pipes.
The New Pipes
You might think, “Shouldn’t removing the old pipes be the next step?” While this is sometimes the case, plumbers can often lay new pipes alongside the old ones. Essentially, they’ll create a brand new plumbing system for your home while leaving the old pipes inside the walls disconnected from your home. This saves a significant amount of time, which is why it’s the preferred method whenever feasible.
The Recovery
Once your new pipes are completely installed and hooked up, your plumber will turn the water back on and test your new plumbing system. So long as everything is working as it should, they’ll begin to patch up all the excavated areas of your home so that you can start restoring order and getting back to your normal life.
