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| Typical costs: | - Tearing out old pipes and installing copper plumbing in a 1,500-square-foot 2-bedroom 1-1/2-bath home could cost $2,000-$15,000 or more, depending on location and factors such as the size and condition of the crawl space under the home or the amount of wall to be torn out.
- For do-it-yourselfers, hard copper pipe is sold at building supply stores for approximately $4-$6 a foot, depending on the type and size. PlumbingSupply.com sells all types of copper fittings, soft copper tubing for $61-$116 in 50-foot rolls, and 4-foot lengths of hard copper pipe for $9-$85 a foot; it doesn't sell longer lengths of hard pipe because they are difficult to ship.
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| What should be included: | - Copper has long been the gold standard of residential water supply plumbing because it's sturdy and durable, withstands temperature extremes from freezing to well above boiling, doesn't add objectionable odors or flavors to the water and resists the mineral deposits found in most domestic water supplies. There have been a few reports of copper pipes failing in underground installations and highly acidic water can break down copper pipes over time. Copper should not be used if the water supply has a pH of 6.5 or less (most municipal supplies have a pH between 7.2-8) unless a treatment system is installed to make the water less acidic.
- In a remodeling project, a contractor will tear open walls and bore holes in the framing to remove the old pipes and install the new. When finished, the walls must be restored and repainted. Copper pipes must be soldered together, so the contractor will u
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| Shopping for replacing copper pipes: | - Contractor referrals are available from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and FindAPlumber.com. Get cost estimates (in writing, if possible) from several firms. Visit the Contractor's License Reference Site to see if the company is licensed in your state. Ask for (and check) references, and see if there are complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
- A written contract should include a detailed outline of the work required and materials used, and dates within which the project will be done.
- Ask your local building department if a permit is legally required for your project. If your house was built before 1975, you may need an asbestos inspection before beginning an extensive remodeling project.
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Article updated November 2006 |
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