When Should You Repipe?
Let's say your building has had its fair share of plumbing problems. So when do you bite the bullet and make the decision to repipe?

Past history has taught us that a multi-family residential building is ready for repiping when it reaches the magic age of 20 to 25 years. The majority of low-rise wood frame buildings would typically last 25 to 30 years before needing a complete plumbing retrofit.

Recently however, the average age of buildings requiring repiping has been dropping. Inquiries from owners and managers asking about the repipe option are coming from buildings as new as 5 years old! Many high-rise buildings experience serious damaging leaks beginning as early as their 10th or 12th year.

Not all costs are calculated into determining how much plumbing leaks cost. Consider all costs when adding up the money leak:
1)	How much money is being spent on plumbing repairs?	+
2)	How much are you spending on remedial work to repair damage caused by those plumbing leaks?	+
3)	If you are a building owner, how many residents are moving out because of the inconvenience caused by leaks?	+
4)	Consider also the time suites cannot be occupied while repairs are being performed.	+
5)	How much is being spent on claims from residents or strata owner resulting from leaks?	+
6)	If you own your own condo, what is the drop in your resale price?	+
7)	How much of your time is spent dealing with plumbing leak issues as a property owner/strata council/property manager/board member?	+
8)	What is your total cost of your repairs for the last 2 years and are they becoming more frequent?	+
9)	How much is your insurance costing you? Increased deductible, or worse, no insurance at all, are not uncommon for new and old buildings with problematic plumbing systems. Some insurance companies will still insure your building but expressly limit the amounts payable for claims resulting from plumbing leaks.	+
10)	When all the dollar figures have been factored in you must now add an amount for RISK. How much of a gambler are you? You may have replaced a branch line this time. You have replaced part of the recirculation pipe last month. Two months ago it was part of the hot water riser up on the eighth floor that rained down on two suites on the seventh. Risk is a cost too, although it may not be evident.	+