Repipes

Re-piping a home, that is, replacing all or most of the pipes delivering water throughout the home, is a popular plumbing service that will add significant value to your home and will insure that your plumbing system will give you years of worry-free service.

Many homes, and most of the older homes built 25 years ago or more, had their plumbing systems built with iron pipes galvanized with zinc; the galvanization was added to the iron to keep the pipes from rusting. Unfortunately, galvanization wears out over time when the zinc breaks down, and this can lead to rust in the home's water and clogged pipes that build up rust and other obstructions. Not only is the rusty water a nuisance and a health hazard, the clogging that occurs can negatively affect the home's water pressure and delivery capacity, disrupting your lifestyle. Ever found the shower turning cold when someone else flushes a toilet or turns on the dishwasher or washing machine? This is probably due to aging pipes and is the first sign that re-piping may be in order.

Many homeowners balk at the idea of a partial or complete re-piping of their home because it sounds like such a major and expensive project. In the hands of an expert Master plumber, like those at Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, a re-piping job can be done with minimal disruption and is surprisingly economical — especially considering that brand new pipes throughout the house will bring years of comfort and pay for themselves many times over in the value of a home. What's more, a re-pipe job, particularly on a home undergoing extensive remodeling, is the way to go not only to insure the home remains in compliances with local codes, but also to guarantee the plumbing system can handle the addition of new, more demanding plumbing fixtures throughout the home.

There are two main types of pipes used in re-piping projects: copper and PEX.

Copper pipes have been around for years and are a very popular choice in re-piping projects; indeed, in most housing projects for decades copper has replaced the iron/galvanized pipes of old, which are rarely used anywhere in the country these days. Copper is very durable, resistant to bacterial growth, and it is flexible enough to allow for easy installation. It is also resistant to ultraviolet rays, so it is the ideal and preferred piping for exterior pipes subject to exposure to the sun and weather. Copper can, however, corrode over time, depending on the acidity level in the water; the pros at Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver do a lot of re-piping jobs with copper, recommend it highly for most jobs, and can offer water-testing and consulting services to you to determine if copper is the way to go.

The other re-piping alternative is called PEX, which is a crosslink polyethelene pipe, which has become very popular in recent years in residential applications. The advantage of PEX for re-piping is that it is extremely flexible, and therefore easy to install, and is also quite durable and will stand the test of time. The downside is that PEX is not resistant to ultraviolet rays and weather, and is not recommended for outdoor, exposed use. (PEX is only for the interior of the home, or for underground, buried piping; when using PEX on a re-piping job, Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver supplements the PEX with copper piping on all exposed areas).

Whatever the choice, Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver are re-pipe experts and can handle the job quickly and efficiently, including meeting all local code and permit requirements.

Re-piping will add significant value to your home and at the same time it will ensure your family's comfort and lifestyle for many years to come.

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