Is It Time to Replace Your Water Pipes?

Do you know the age of the water pipes that are currently in your home? If they’re over ten years old, it’s time to start thinking about replacing them—especially if you have quest piping. 

There’s a good reason modern homeowners are ditching quest piping and choosing to go with materials like copper or Pex. Both of these replacement materials are very durable and can last for up to fifteen years without any sort of leaking or breaking.

How to Tell if You Have Quest Piping

Quest or polybutylene piping is common in older homes. You typically find quest pipes in homes built between 1970 and 1995. But how do you know what kind of water pipes are running through your home? It’s actually relatively easy to find out. 

Start off by checking the age of your home. Your local tax assessor can help you find the records if you don’t have them at home.

Another key way to tell if the pipes in your home are made from polybutylene is to look at their color. If the pipes are gray, black, or blue, you probably have quest pipes. If you can’t tell the color from looking at where they connect to the water meter, check the connectors around your toilets, washing machine, or water heater. 

However, it’s easy to make a mistake if the connector is copper, as you can easily have a copper connector and quest pipes. To ensure that the pipes currently in your home aren’t copper, get a second opinion from your local plumber.

Copper or Pex Piping

Copper and Pex (cross-linked polyethylene) are popular replacements for quest piping, and both options have their own unique advantages along with a couple of downsides.

Copper is very durable, you don’t have to worry about replacements for around 15 years. The material works great outdoors and inside and resists rust and corrosion. However, copper is expensive and can be a target for thieves. 

The last thing you want is someone removing your water pipes to resell the metal at a salvage yard. Installing copper pipes is also expensive. It’s a key reason why homeowners often choose to go with Pex.

Pex isn’t suitable for outdoor use, seeing as it’s not designed to handle hot weather or high water pressure like copper. Pex won’t degrade when it comes in contact with chemicals like chlorine. 

The inexpensive material is also flexible, making installation easier and cutting down on your total replacement costs. Pex can bend around obstacles like corners without breaking. Best of all, the piping will last for many years to come.

How to Choose the Right Type of Piping

Chances are your overall budget will be the biggest deciding factor when it comes to choosing replacement pipes. 

Pex is a cheaper option than copper, but you also want to think about the location of your pipes when choosing an option. If they’re outside—go with copper, as it can withstand hot summer heat. Pex is a great option for homes with water pipes inside.

Don’t forget that every home is different, so what works for your neighbors may not be the best option for your own home. After considering the pipes’ location and your budget, don’t be afraid to ask a licensed plumber for advice—they can help you pick the right replacement for quest piping without blowing your budget. 

My name is Wojtek and I am very happy that you came to my healthy lifestyle blog. In human life, health is probably the most important factor needed for happiness, so I thought I will make a contribution to this and try to promote healthy eating and sport.

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