Repiping a house is a large project that involves a multiple steps. Take a look at the typical process a repiping specialist follows when repiping a home:
Initial inspection
A qualified repiping specialist should come out to your house to assess the condition of the current pipes. When they need to be replaced, the plumber will let you know and go over options for the new pipes with you. What type of pipe you choose can often determine the length of the project. They will also provide you with a list of access points they will need throughout the home, for example, walls, floors, etc.
Schedule a Repiping Specialist Creates
A home repair job such as this can be quite intrusive for you and your family. Besides the workers coming and going, you will likely have ladders and other tools that can be an annoyance. Work with your repiping specialist to create a schedule that allows them ample time to work every day but that won’t disrupt your home life any more than possible. Once a schedule has been agreed to, try to stick with it, this will help shorten the amount of time the job will take.
Creating a Safe Repipe Workspace
Before any pipes can be removed or installed, necessary prep work has to be completed first. Holes will need to be made in walls, floors, and ceilings in order to access the water system. Before this can be done, the plumbing crew should lay down drop cloths on the floors and cover any furniture so it does not get dirty, stained, or torn. As the homeowner, you should empty out any cabinets, or remove any obstacles before the work crew arrives. This will save time for everyone.
Installing the New Pipes
Again, how long this step takes depends on if you are using PEX or copper pipes. PEX pipes are quicker, and easier, to install since they are lightweight and flexible. Unlike copper pipes, there are not elbow fittings needed and no needed to weld anything either. Although in many cases, pipes that are entering or exiting a wall, should be copper. Don’t worry about being out of water during this process. The old system is left running until the new one is fully in place.
Switching From the old Water System to the new
This step is usually the one that takes the longest. At this point, the tie-ins to the city water system need to be removed from the old pipes then tied into the new ones. Check with your plumber, but if there are certain areas of the home that you need water for, such as the bathroom, they can switch over those areas first.
The Repipe Cleanup
Once the new system is installed and working properly, the final step is the cleanup. This should include patching and repairing any walls, floors or ceilings that needed to be cut through. The work crew will also remove all the drop cloths and should sweep up any debris. If you hired the right company, they will leave your home as clean as it was when they arrived.
If you have any questions or want to schedule an inspection by a repiping specialist of your pipes, give us a call today. Our specialists have repiped over 50,000 homes in Southern California, and are ready to help you.
