Plumbing Problems: Repair VS Replace

If it seems like you’ve had to deal with one repair after another for a plumbing fixture or pipe in your home, you may be asking yourself if it’s time to consider a replacement.

That’s a question homeowners have been asking themselves for quite some time. As it turns out, the answer can be determined by considering the following factors: age of the plumbing fixture or pipe, frequency of the recurring problem(s), the length of time in which your family will be in your home, and what the cost of NOT simply replacing the fixture or pipe would be. Read on to learn more!

How old is your plumbing fixture or pipe?

Especially if your family is residing in an older home, then your toilets, sinks, shower, tub, and piping may composed of outdated materials. Not only can this lead to frequent problems with clogs, slow-moving drains, toilets that don’t flush as efficiently as they should, or foul-smelling pipes — but it also means that your family could be drinking, washing clothes, or bathing with water coming out of pipes that are potentially made from lead materials. Lead-lined pipes could actually poison your water supply and be dangerous for your family’s overall health and well-being.

If your lines are older than 40 years, it’s time to consider replacing them. If you recently moved in and you aren’t sure whether the water lines are made from lead, or if they were ever replaced by the previous owner, a professional plumber will be able to assist you.

Fixtures wear out, too, and outdated ones don’t have the modern features that today’s standard units come equipped with. A replacement may be due for them, as well.

How often does the problem occur?

If it seems like you’re calling a plumber every month for a sink that won’t drain, or a toilet that won’t flush, or even for a washing machine that has leaking hoses, consider whether it makes sense to simply replace the fixture or pipe with the recurring issue.

Keep track of how often the problem occurs, the cost involved, as well as other elements of your plumbing this problem influences. For example, if you have a sink that seems to always have a clogging issue, but you also live in an older home with outdated pipes, does it make sense to only replace the sink, or should you also replace the pipes connected to the sink at the same time?

An experienced plumber will be able to talk through your home’s unique situation with you and help you to decide the best course of action for getting your plumbing fixtures and lines in good working order.

How long will you be living in your current home?

If your family doesn’t plan on living in your home for much longer, it may not make sense for you to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get your plumbing in tip-top shape. This is money that would be better used on your next property — fixing it up, buying furniture, handling moving fees, etc.

However, if the plumbing is so bad that it may deter anyone from even wanting to purchase your home, then you should consider if it makes sense for you to replace the key plumbing components. This would include things like updating the bathroom with a new toilet, shower, and sink. Or maybe you go the route of replacing all the water lines but leave the fixture updates to the new buyer.

The choice is yours, but just be sure to weigh the costs of the work involved and whether you will reap the benefit in the time you have left living there, or if it will help to make your home a more attractive purchase for someone.

What’s the cost of NOT replacing the plumbing fixture or line?

When asking yourself this question, consider how often the repairs are needed, as well as whether or not a repair now will last long enough to allow you to save money for a future replacement. If you’ve noticed that the repairs are happening multiple times each year and the cost of the work required is more than what it would be to replace the damaged fixture or piping, then it absolutely makes sense for you to do a replacement.

However, if you have been keeping track of your plumbing repairs and have only needed a repair once a year, or every few years, then you can probably erase the idea of replacing anything for the time being.

If you aren’t sure, just ask!

If you really don’t know what the best solution is for your family and home’s unique plumbing needs, then it’s best to consult with a professional plumber for guidance. He or she will be able to work with you, and your budget, to determine what’s best for your needs, wants, and for the future of your family’s home.