If you're fixing up your old house and planning an extensive renovation, one thing you'll want to look at is the plumbing. If it's old and showing signs of corrosion, then replacing it at the same time could be a good idea if the walls and floors are going to be opened up anyway. Here are some reasons you may want to have a new plumbing system installed.

The Pipes Are Galvanized Steel Or Lead

Some older homes were constructed with plumbing materials that have since been retired due to the problems they caused. Lead pipes leached lead into the water and galvanized steel pipes ended up corroding over time. These materials are not used in residential plumbing any longer, and if your home has the steel pipes, it may be a matter of time before they begin to leak and cause problems with water damage. Even if they're not leaking yet, you may want to go ahead and have a new plumbing system installed when you renovate. A plumber can identify the type of material used in your plumbing pipes and inspect them for signs of wear on the inside with a pipe camera.

You Need Lines For New Fixtures

If you're putting in a new bathroom or adding new features such as a rain shower to your existing bathroom, you may need new lines installed. A kitchen island with a sink could also require new plumbing lines. A new plumbing system gives you the chance to put fixtures where you want them when you design your renovation. Renovating could also be a good time to reroute plumbing that was placed under a slab. Your plumber may route it through the ceiling or use some other method of installing the pipes so they can always be inspected and reached easily when there is a leak.

The Sewer Pipe Has Tree Roots

One problem common in older homes is clogging and cracking of the main sewer pipe due to tree roots. When this happens, you'll have to have the sewer pipe cleared out every few years, and there is always the possibility of cracks developing that could cause the pipe to collapse. As well as having new supply pipes upgraded during your home renovation, you may want the sewer line replaced as well to ward off potential future problems. A plastic pipe can be used to keep tree roots out for good.

A new plumbing system will add to the cost of your renovation, but the new system will last for years and you won't have worries about aged pipes causing water damage in your renovated home. A renovated home can be almost as good as a brand new one when the plumbing system is updated at the same time and you add modern features to your kitchen and bath. To learn more, contact a plumbing company like Accurate Plumbing.