Expert Advice: Water Line Repair Vs. Complete Water Line Replacement

Expert Advice: Water Line Repair Vs

Expert Advice: Water Line Repair Vs. Complete Water Line Replacement

How do you decide whether to do a water line replacement or just a water line repair? Thousands of NYC property owners are faced with that question every year when a water main requires repairs. There are sensible guidelines to follow and sound advice as well.

The Three Factors Needed To Make A Wise Decision:

The material the existing water main is made out of.

The age of the existing water main.

The price difference between a water line repair and a water line replacement.

Water Main Materials

Galvanized Lead Copper

There are three materials presently legal for a water service line in NYC. They are copper, brass, and ductile iron pipe. For water service lines up to 2", which includes the vast majority of water service lines throughout NYC, K copper is used. For a larger water main, such as for a fire sprinkler main or for an apartment building, ductile iron pipe is generally used. Brass is usually only used for 2 1/2" service lines, or on special request.

In NYC is not legal to do a repair on a lead or galvanized water main regardless of the condition or age of the water main. So right off the bat, if the line is lead or galvanized pipe a repair is eliminated from being one of your options. Typically galvanized water services provide very low water pressure and performing a repair on such a service will not solve a water pressure problem.

The Age Of The Existing Service Line

The useful life of a typical water service line is around 50 years. Therefore any water service line over 50 years old is not a candidate for water line repairs and a full replacement should be the only option. Lead and galvanized pipe has not been used in approximately 60 years or more; another reason to never consider a repair of these materials. Another thing to consider is that metal become brittle as they age, and connecting to an existing water service is always a chancy proposition. For the above reasons a water line replacement is typically the job of choice unless the water line is only a few years old.

The Cost Comparisons

An important thing to consider is that many of the costs in performing either a water line repair or a water line replacement are set. Permit fees, restoration costs, much of the labor, tools and equipment are all required regardless of the scope of work. material costs comprise only around 20% or so of the cost of a water main job. Therefore there is typically not a tremendous difference in the cost of a water line repair and a water line replacement. A general rule of thumb is that if a repair costs 50% or more of the cost of a replacement, just do the replacement. This rule of thumb can be applied to other purchasing decisions such as when deciding whether to buy "new" or "used".

Most licensed and reputable plumbing firms would agree that an educated and knowledgeable Client is their very best customer. Doing the right job should always be the priority, not just "making a sale". And knowing when doing a plumbing repair job is unwise and a waste of money is vital information for property owners and plumbers alike.

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