Bought an older home and it looks like the pipes are on their last legs. I have limited experience in this area but am curious whether that’s something y’all have tried tackling on your own vs working with a plumbing company. Their quote was pretty hefty, and we’re not moving into the home just yet with other projects I’m taking on first. I looked at some repipe examples, and it looks like newer pipes generally follow the same lines, so it seems doable, but it’d be nice to get a consensus from others. Have you ever tackled a DIY project like this?
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Let's start with your age. I'm now retired and past 70 and during Covid I had our pipes redone with PEX. When I was younger and at a previous house I repiped with copper myself. So I guess the answer you're looking for depends on the materials you use (PEX was not something I had experience with) and your physical abilities.
If your living in the house that also changes the situation somewhat. Wives for whatever reason can't seem to handle not having hot and cold running water for an extended period of time. So you have to factor that into your consideration.
We're not living in the house yet as it needs quite a bit of work, which is part of why we got it - I wanted something to rebuild for us.
I have experience with other aspects of the remodel, just not so much the plumbing. My physical abilities shouldn't be an issue, but is there something specific you mean?
Sorry so long to get back. Physical limitations from my perspective are crawling around in a crawlspace (no basement). Crawling in limited space in attic on just the joists (ie no plywood floor). Those are acrobatic endevors that I no longer can do.
Anything is possible. there is a learning curve, and the time it will take for your to gain proficiency and actually do the work may already be taken up with other projects you have already in work
building permits and local laws will also inform your decision, as will how complicated the plumbing is.
If you already are tearing into the bathrooms and kitchen, it would make more sense to go ahead and replace plumbing.
If you have any hydronic heating, this also will impact what you need to do.
If the drain lines are cast iron, old and leaking, it would pay to get them redone (or do it yourself) Not every plumbing install was done properly. so copying can get you into trouble.
Measure twice and cut once. leak check before finishing the drywall...
Learn current codes before planning the work.
Appreciate the insight! Yeah, I am getting into the kitchen and bathroom, so that's why I was thinking about it.
Do you think having a plumber come out for an inspection would be worth it? You have a good point about copying causing a problem.
Inspection is a good idea. Getting someone to scope out the drain lines is also not a bad idea, especially if any drain lines are under a basement floor.
Good first step is to make sure you understand permit and inspection requirements where this house is.
Not every plumber will want to work with you. There are liabilities for giving advice in some cases.
Make sure you learn how to do leak checks for any work you do end up doing yourself.
Thanks! I hadn't thought about the potential of liability, but hopefully a home inspection would reveal recommendations at least.
Basements are a rare thing around here, so that's not an issue.
Okay, yeah, after reading into it a bit, an inspection might be a good start. This is a little basic in the steps, but per the signs it points out, I probably need to add this project to the list.
https://www.met-plumbing.com/what-to-expect-when-you-re-pipe-re-plumb-your-home/