Honestly, sometimes I think we go overboard swapping out pipes just because they're old. My place has some original copper that’s still kicking after 40+ years—meanwhile, my neighbor replaced everything with PEX and had a fitting fail within two years. Maybe it’s not always greener (or cheaper) to rip out what’s still working fine. I like the idea of targeted replacements, especially if you’re keeping an eye on things with regular inspections. Full replacements can be a wallet-buster and, let’s be real, not all “old” pipes are ticking time bombs.
I hear you on the old copper. Some of my rentals still have the original stuff from the late 70s, and honestly, it’s holding up better than some of the newer materials I’ve seen. I’m all for “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”—but I do get a little paranoid about hidden leaks or corrosion, especially where pipes run through walls or under slabs.
I’ve had one nightmare with a pinhole leak that went unnoticed for months... insurance covered most of it, but the hassle was unreal. Since then, I just make sure to check for any signs of green corrosion or weird water pressure changes. If something looks off, I’ll swap that section out, but ripping out everything just because it’s old seems like overkill (and a huge expense).
Targeted replacements and regular checks seem like the way to go. Full re-pipes are really only worth it if you’re already opening up walls for a reno or there’s a history of issues. Otherwise, I’d rather spend that money elsewhere.
Had a similar situation last year—pinhole leak behind a bathroom wall, only found it because the paint started bubbling. That was a mess. I agree,
I’ll swap out the sketchy sections when I spot them, but unless you’re gutting the place, targeted fixes make way more sense. The old copper’s tough stuff, just gotta keep an eye on it.“ripping out everything just because it’s old seems like overkill (and a huge expense).”
“ripping out everything just because it’s old seems like overkill (and a huge expense).”
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve managed a few places with original copper, and honestly, unless you’re seeing green corrosion or regular leaks, it’s usually not worth gutting the whole system. I do a yearly check—look for any discoloration, weird smells, or soft spots in the drywall. If something looks off, I’ll open up just that section. Saves a ton of money and hassle. The old copper really can take a beating... just needs a little attention now and then.
Honestly, I stressed about this a ton when I bought my place last year. The inspector flagged the pipes as “aging but functional,” which sounded ominous. I ended up just keeping an eye out for leaks and weird water color. One thing I did was run the taps in every room for a few minutes—if anything came out rusty or smelled off, I’d have called someone. But everything’s been fine so far. I get wanting to replace everything for peace of mind, but unless there’s a real problem, it feels like fixing what isn’t broken.
