The Difference Between Plumbing Repair and Replacement in New Jersey

Repairing your plumbing means fixing the existing plumbing components that you have. Replacing your plumbing means replacing your existing plumbing with new components. However, plumbing repair versus replacement is not black and white. Many plumbing repairs will involve replacing small components. You may replace a piece of pipe, the interior of a toilet, or other parts of your plumbing system.

As a result, most people talk about replacement when they are completely replacing plumbing or components. Getting new fixtures, new toilets, or replacing pipes are all considered replacement. Fixing or repairing your existing system is considered repair.

How do you know whether you should repair or replace? It depends on your goals. Are you happy with your existing plumbing and just experiencing an isolated problem? Then repair is probably the right choice. If you want to make replacements, then repairing existing components is only going to be a waste of money.
If your plumbing is outdated, you should consider replacing. This is especially important for pipes. If your pipes were installed in the 1980s or earlier, then they could have lead in them. Of course, we know that lead in the water can lead to serious health problems. Of course, not all older pipes have lead. Ask your plumber to test the pipes before you make a replacement or repair decision.

Have you had to make multiple repairs? An isolated repair is no big deal. You can fix it and still have years of reliable performance from the rest of your plumbing system. However, if you are having multiple plumbing repairs, it may be time to replace your pipes. While replacing is almost always more expensive, it can end up being the more affordable alternative in the long run. That is because failing to replace your pipes could lead to catastrophic flooding or other water damage.

You also want to look at the lifetime of the part in need of repair. If the rest of its lifetime is a short period of time, then you may want to repair rather than replace. That is because your long-term costs will be lower. On the other hand, some plumbing items can last for decades. It is almost always a better idea to repair a toilet than to replace it, because toilets last for decades. Unless you want a low-flow model or something with new features, replacing the toilet’s hardware will usually do the trick.

To make the repair or replace decision, it helps to have a plumber you can trust. At AME Plumbing, we will provide you with the information you need to decide which one is better for you. To do that, we will provide you with all of the information you need about the costs for repair and replacements, as well as the lifetime of your plumbing, and how long any repairs should last. Contact us today to find out more.