“use a camera scope to peek inside the walls for hidden nasties.”
That’s a solid tip. I’d just add—sometimes those “hidden nasties” are worse than they look from the outside. Ever had a pipe that looked fine but was paper-thin inside? I’ve seen that once and it was a mess. I get wanting to avoid overkill, but if you’re seeing issues in multiple spots, maybe it’s worth asking: how old is the whole system? If it’s original and pushing 50+ years, targeted fixes might just be delaying the inevitable. But yeah, if it’s just a couple bad sections, no need to go nuclear.
if it’s original and pushing 50+ years, targeted fixes might just be delaying the inevitable.
Couldn’t agree more—sometimes you’re just putting lipstick on a pig. Here’s my quick-and-dirty checklist: 1) Check for leaks or weird smells. 2) Look for corrosion or greenish stains. 3) If you’re getting low water pressure in random spots, that’s a red flag. If two or more boxes get ticked and your pipes are ancient, it’s probably time to bite the bullet. I once tried patching a single section and ended up chasing leaks for months... not worth the headache.
That checklist is super helpful—wish I’d seen it earlier. I’m right there with you on the “lipstick on a pig” thing, though part of me always wonders if I’m giving up too soon on old stuff. I tried to just fix one leaky joint in my basement, and two weeks later a different spot started dripping. Feels like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. It’s tough to know when to just call it and do the big replacement, but your tips make it seem a little less overwhelming.
Feels like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.
That’s the story of old plumbing, honestly. Here’s my quick take:
- If you’re patching leaks every month, it’s time to think bigger.
- Rusty water or low pressure? Pipes are probably shot.
- Sometimes you gotta stop playing whack-a-mole and just pull the plug (pun intended).
I’ve seen folks spend more on “just one more fix” than a full replacement would’ve cost. Not saying rip it all out at the first drip, but sometimes you gotta know when to fold ‘em.
When Do You Draw the Line on Pipe Repairs?
I hear you on the “whack-a-mole” thing—been there, done that, and got the water stains to prove it. I’ve had a couple of rentals where it felt like every time I fixed one leak, another would pop up two rooms over. At some point, you start to wonder if you’re just throwing good money after bad.
Here’s something I’ve wrestled with: how do you decide if it’s worth doing a full repipe, especially if the place is older but still in decent shape otherwise? I’ve had plumbers give me wildly different opinions—one says patching is fine for now, another says I’m crazy not to gut the whole system. Not sure if they’re upselling or just being cautious.
Also, has anyone here actually done a full repipe while tenants were living in the unit? That’s my big hesitation. The logistics seem like a nightmare—moving people out, dealing with water shut-offs, all that. Is it ever worth trying to do it in stages, or does that just drag out the pain?
I guess my main concern is balancing cost vs. hassle vs. long-term headaches. Sometimes I think about just waiting until there’s a major failure before pulling the trigger, but then again, the idea of a burst pipe at 2am isn’t exactly appealing.
Curious how others weigh these decisions. Do you go by age of the pipes, frequency of issues, or just gut feeling?
