If you’ve recently bought an old house, hopefully that transaction included a comprehensive inspection that alerted you to problems that need to be addressed. The two biggest systems of concern are the electrical system and the plumbing system. If your inspection alerted you to problems with the plumbing, here’s what you need to know about the process of repiping a house. 

Repiping a house—the material

When it comes to repiping your house, the first two steps will be choosing a professional to handle the job, and choosing the material that he will use. Chances are, if your plumber is knowledgeable and experienced, he’ll be able to tell you exactly what materials you need to get the job done. These days, plumbers prefer copper or flexible plastic pipe. You might even ask him to include materials in his job quote if you’d rather not be bothered for finding the right things.   

Planning and prepping the job

Repiping a house is a pretty big job that will turn your home into a construction zone for a short period of time. Most plumbers can have the job completed in a few days time. In order to access the areas where the pipes will be replaced, the plumber will have to cut holes in your ceilings and walls. All of these holes will be fixed before the job is done.    

Repiping a house means no water

In order to be able to remove bad pieces of pipe and replace with new pipe, your plumber will have to shut off the water to your house at the main valve. This will be inconvenient if your home during this time because it will mean there won’t be running water to sinks, showers, and toilets. If you can be away from your house during the process, that’s the ideal scenario.   

Finishing the job

Once all the new piping has been replaced, and any new water systems that you’ve chosen have been installed, your plumber will be ready to test the system and finish the job. They’ll turn the water back on and check the system for any problems. Once they’ve ensured that all is well, they’ll begin repairing the holes that were made to access plumbing. When they’re finished, it will be hard to tell that any holes were there at all.