5 Signs Your Old Florida Home Needs New Plumbing

Old plumbing pipes in a Sarasota, Florida home

March 28, 2014

Got an old (60+ years) house? Those pipes aren’t going to last forever. At some point they’ll start to leak due to corrosion and rust.

Worst case scenario: the leaky pipes burst, causing a flood that costs thousands in damage to your home and belongings.

Of course, re-piping an entire home is expensive. So, you only want to have this job when it's absolutely necessary.

Here are the warning signs that your home needs new plumbing.

1) Rust color water coming from faucets

The rust color is caused by corrosion in the pipes, signaling they need to be replaced.

2) Signs of corrosion on the pipe tubing

Check areas with exposed pipes—like basements, utility rooms, and crawl spaces— for signs of corrosion on the tubing.
Outer signs of corrosion include:

Discoloration
Stains
Dimpling
Pimples
Flaking

3) Several leaking pipes

Assuming all your pipes are the same age, having several leaky pipes is a sign you’ll need new plumbing because it’s likely only a matter of time before the rest of your plumbing starts to leak, causing damage to your home.

4) High lead content in the water due to lead piping

Lead piping is found in homes built before 1986. Corroded lead pipes will leach lead into your tap water, according to the EPA.

Lead content in drinking water can cause several adverse effects in children, like delays in physical and mental development. For adults, it can cause high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Lead pipes are a dull grey in color and are easily scratched. If you have lead pipes, get your water tested for lead content.

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development suggests replacing the pipes if the lead content in your water exceeds 50 parts per billion (0.05 ppm).

5) Low water pressure

Turn on your hot water. Is the water pressure low? This can be caused by:

Corroded galvanized steel pipes: These pipes are coated in zinc. When that zinc deteriorates, it builds up on the sides of the pipes, much like clogged arteries restrict blood flow to the heart. These pipes need replacing.
Buildup of calcium and other minerals: Your water is “hard” meaning it’s full of minerals like calcium carbonate. These minerals build up over time in the pipes, causing low water pressure.

When is the best time to get new plumbing?

That’s between you and your plumber. But one of the best times is when you’re remodeling the home and the pipes are already exposed.

At Cool Today in Florida, we can handle whole-house re-piping if you need help.

Learn more about our whole-house re-piping process or contact us to get a pipe inspection.

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