I’ve wondered about pipe lining too, but honestly, I’ve never seen it done in a regular house around here either. Like you mentioned,
—that’s what’s kept me from trying it. My neighbor went with full copper replacement after finding a couple pinhole leaks. It was a pain, but at least there’s peace of mind now. Anyone else notice that sometimes the “cheaper” fix ends up costing more down the line? I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to water damage...“I’ve heard mixed things about longevity”
“the ‘cheaper’ fix ends up costing more down the line”
That’s the story of my life with home repairs, honestly. I looked into pipe lining too, but the mixed reviews on how long it actually lasts made me nervous. Full copper replacement is a pain (and a wallet-buster), but at least you know what you’re getting. I had a friend who went with a “quick fix” patch job and ended up tearing out half his drywall six months later... not fun. Sometimes the slow, expensive route really does save you headaches.
“the ‘cheaper’ fix ends up costing more down the line”
Totally get this. I tried to save a few bucks with a “temporary” fix on my kitchen sink and, surprise, it turned into a full-blown water feature in my basement. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and do it right the first time.
Nailed it. I’ve learned the hard way, too—patch jobs on old pipes just don’t hold up. You think you’re saving a bit, then you’re dealing with leaks, water damage, and sometimes even mold. If the pipes are showing their age or you’re getting repeat issues, it’s usually better to just replace them. Cheaper in the long run, less headache. Trust me, nothing ruins a weekend like an emergency call about a burst line...
You’re not wrong—patching old pipes is usually just kicking the can down the road. I’ve seen folks spend more on repeat “quick fixes” than they would’ve on a proper replacement. That said, sometimes a patch can buy you a little time if you’re in a pinch, but it’s never a real solution if the pipes are already corroded or brittle. If you’re seeing leaks in more than one spot, or if the pipe walls are thinning, it’s probably time to bite the bullet and swap them out. It’s not cheap upfront, but you’ll sleep better knowing you’re not one drip away from a disaster.