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Blocked pipes can be an inconvenience in your home. The inconvenience could be in your septic system or the plumbing system. Pipes get blocked for many reasons, most of which are easily preventable. The most common causes of blocked pipes are fats, oils, non-flushable items, and dirt from drains.
Additionally, the winter season can also lead to frozen pipes, leading to slow drainage. Clogged drains can also cause a leak. This could lead to spending thousands of dollars on replacement work. Read here for additional info.
You don’t always have to replace your pipes if they’re blocked. A plumber can still fix and unblock them instead. When deciding on replacing or repairing blocked pipes, there are several things to consider such as:
1. The Age of the Pipe
The age of the pipe is a significant factor when determining whether or not you should repair or replace blocked pipes. If the pipes are less than ten years old, they will likely last another ten years if properly maintained. In such cases, you will only need a repair by an expert.
On the other hand, older pipes are more likely to leak or break because they’re made from materials that have already deteriorated over time. Therefore, there are chances that the blockage will often appear due to the pipe’s condition. Also, pipes laid over 25 years ago may not be able to withstand today’s usage, so it’s better off replaced than repaired.
2. The Cause Of The Blockage
If a broken seal blocks the pipe, it’s not worth repairing. The line will probably burst again. Also, if there has been a bend on the pipe caused by a heavy object, then the pipe will already be weakened. This means that blockages will often appear, and repairing them won’t solve the problem; therefore, you should already replace them.
However, if it was recently clogged, that means not much damage has been caused; you may need to unblock it by trying DIY solutions such as pouring boiling water down the drain or using chemical drain cleaners.
3. Where The Blockage Is Located
If the blockage is at one end of the pipe, it’s probably fine to repair it. But if it’s at both ends or in the middle of the line, then replacing it might be a better option because more things could go wrong when repairing such sections.
Moreover, you should consider the location of the blocked pipe relative to the property or the activities on the property. For example, repairing your blocked pipes may be less disruptive than replacing them if you’re in the middle of a renovation or redecorating project. You won’t need to hire extra help for the project, and you’ll be able to continue your plans as usual.
4. Consider The Cost
The cost incurred in repairing vs. replacing is another important factor that will determine what to do with the blocked pipe. The cost will be affected by several factors, such as the severity of the blockage, the material of the pipe, and the location. For example, PVC pipes are easy to work with and cost less than copper pipes. However, they are more prone to leaks because they don’t have as much flexibility as copper pipes. PVC pipes also don’t last as long as copper ones do.
Copper piping has a longer lifespan and doesn’t tend to leak like PVC, but it costs more and requires special tools that aren’t always available at home improvement stores or hardware stores. If you want your plumbing system repaired or replaced and don’t want to spend extra money on tools, then PVC may be your best bet.
5. The Severity of the Damage
If your pipe has suffered severe damage from being blocked for an extended period and hasn’t been fixed yet, then it may be wise to replace it entirely rather than trying to repair it again later on down the road.
However, if you have recurring problems with your drains, then the problem could be more than just the blocked pipe. The materials could’ve worn out, or there’s a leakage allowing debris to enter and clog the pipe. Therefore, replacing the pipe is a better option.
Conclusion
Repairing and replacing blocked pipes will require a significant investment, which is why you need to consider several factors before making this decision. Repairing a pipe would be cheaper than replacement, but only if no severe damages were done.
Otherwise, it may cost you more money. Remember to check the condition of your pipes once every six months to reduce the risk of blockages and repair bills.
