Hello everyone,
My husband and I have purchased a single-family house (built in 1974). As part of the bathroom and toilet renovation, we are considering replacing the old galvanized steel pipes.
Currently, the pipes look fine from the outside, meaning the water runs clear. There are no signs of rust.
The house is in very good, well-maintained condition. It is clear that the previous owners took good care of everything. The building inspector we consulted advised us to keep the existing pipes. However, based on a quick look at the pipes in the basement, he assumed that the house has copper pipes. The construction specification from 1974 that has recently come to light states that galvanized steel pipes were installed.
Therefore, my question is: Is replacement absolutely necessary? Given the upcoming renovation, I prefer not to replace the pipes if it’s not required. I find it difficult to judge this properly and don’t want to have to deal with the pipes again in six months if a water damage occurs...
And especially: do all the pipes throughout the entire house need to be replaced? Or is it sufficient to replace only sections inside the bathroom/toilet walls and leave the risers as they are?
Thanks in advance for your help!
My husband and I have purchased a single-family house (built in 1974). As part of the bathroom and toilet renovation, we are considering replacing the old galvanized steel pipes.
Currently, the pipes look fine from the outside, meaning the water runs clear. There are no signs of rust.
The house is in very good, well-maintained condition. It is clear that the previous owners took good care of everything. The building inspector we consulted advised us to keep the existing pipes. However, based on a quick look at the pipes in the basement, he assumed that the house has copper pipes. The construction specification from 1974 that has recently come to light states that galvanized steel pipes were installed.
Therefore, my question is: Is replacement absolutely necessary? Given the upcoming renovation, I prefer not to replace the pipes if it’s not required. I find it difficult to judge this properly and don’t want to have to deal with the pipes again in six months if a water damage occurs...
And especially: do all the pipes throughout the entire house need to be replaced? Or is it sufficient to replace only sections inside the bathroom/toilet walls and leave the risers as they are?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Are your walls already open? Are you renovating the bathrooms anyway? Then I would replace them at the same time. I wouldn’t tear open the walls solely for the pipes. But I would rely on expert advice for that. With this new information, I would consult your building inspector or specialist again. They will surely assist you.
Thanks in advance for the answers.
I understand that this can’t be answered in a simple, general way, but maybe someone has had similar thoughts and can share their experience here.
I’m the kind of person who tends to do things all the way or not at all. That’s why I feel uneasy about renovating without addressing the pipes. The question is, do I need to do this everywhere, or are the parts in the bathroom enough?
I just can’t imagine why only one section would be replaced when all the pipes in the house are in use...
I understand that this can’t be answered in a simple, general way, but maybe someone has had similar thoughts and can share their experience here.
I’m the kind of person who tends to do things all the way or not at all. That’s why I feel uneasy about renovating without addressing the pipes. The question is, do I need to do this everywhere, or are the parts in the bathroom enough?
I just can’t imagine why only one section would be replaced when all the pipes in the house are in use...
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