That said, if you’re patching every other month or you start seeing green corrosion all over, that’s when I start thinking about full replacement. Otherwise, I’d rather spend my money on stuf...
I get the logic behind “patch it till you can’t,” but I wonder if there’s a point where patching actually ends up costing more in the long run? Like, if you’re calling a plumber every few months, is it really saving money versus just biting the bullet and replacing a section? Curious how folks weigh that out, especially when budgets are tight.
I get the logic behind “patch it till you can’t,” but I wonder if there’s a point where patching actually ends up costing more in the long run?
That’s a good point, and honestly, it happens more often than people think. If you’re calling someone out every couple months for leaks or corrosion, those service calls add up fast—sometimes way more than just replacing a section outright. I’ve seen folks spend hundreds over a year on patch jobs when a partial repipe would’ve solved it for less hassle.
It’s tempting to keep patching, especially if money’s tight, but constant repairs usually mean the pipe’s on its last legs. Plus, all that corrosion can lead to bigger headaches like water damage or mold. If you’re seeing green or blue crust around joints or valves, that’s usually copper breaking down and it won’t get better with patches.
Short-term fixes are fine for an emergency, but if you’re doing them regularly, it might be time to bite the bullet—even if it stings a bit upfront. In the end, you’ll probably save yourself some stress (and cash).
If you’re calling someone out every couple months for leaks or corrosion, those service calls add up fast—sometimes way more than just replacing a section outright.
Yeah, I’ve seen that firsthand. Last winter, my uncle kept patching the same stretch of pipe in his basement—three times in six months. Each fix seemed cheap, but after the third call, he realized he’d spent more than a new pipe would’ve cost. It’s tough to know when to stop patching, but if you’re seeing corrosion or constant leaks, it’s probably time to rethink. Sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle.
I get what you’re saying, but how do you decide if it’s just a bad section or if the whole line’s on its last legs? I’ve seen pipes that look rough outside but are fine inside, and others that surprise you. Anyone ever just replace a chunk and regret not doing more?
Funny you mention that—last year I swapped out a section of galvanized pipe that was leaking, thinking I’d dodged a bullet. Six months later, another leak popped up just a few feet down the line. Turns out, the inside was way worse than it looked from the outside. I guess sometimes you just can’t tell until you cut it open.
I’ve heard some folks use those little inspection cameras to check the inside, but honestly, unless you’re dealing with copper or PVC, old metal pipes are kind of a gamble. If you’re already opening up walls or floors, it might be worth biting the bullet and doing more than just a patch job. Otherwise, you risk chasing leaks one after another... which is not exactly my idea of a good time.
But yeah, I get the hesitation—replacing everything is a pain and not cheap. I’d say if you see rust flakes in your water or have low pressure, that’s usually a sign things are going downhill fast. Otherwise, maybe just keep an eye out and hope for the best?
