if it ain’t broke... I’d rather spend that cash on something more fun than plumbing.
That’s a pretty reasonable approach, honestly. I’ve seen folks rip out perfectly good lines just because they’re “old,” but age alone isn’t always a red flag. Like you said, keeping an eye on pressure and corrosion is key. I’ve got some original copper in my place from the late ‘60s—still going strong after a few patch jobs. Sometimes a targeted repair makes more sense than a full overhaul, especially if you’re comfortable doing the work yourself.
The only thing I’d add is to keep tabs on any changes in water color or pressure drops, since those can sneak up on you. But yeah, unless you’re seeing a pattern of leaks or major corrosion, I don’t see the point in fixing what isn’t broken. There’s always something more exciting to spend money on than plumbing... unless you’re into that sort of thing.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen “if it ain’t broke” turn into a flooded basement more than once. Old copper can look fine on the outside and still be thinning out inside, especially if your water’s a bit acidic. I’m not saying rip everything out for no reason, but sometimes a proactive check by a pro can catch stuff you’d never spot just eyeballing it. I’d rather spend a little now than deal with drywall and flooring later... just my two cents.
That’s a fair point—hidden damage is a nightmare, especially when you’re dealing with finished spaces. I’ve seen beautiful renovations ruined by a surprise leak behind the walls. Do you think it’s worth doing a full inspection before any major remodel, or just stick to visible problem areas?
Honestly, I get the urge to want a full inspection before tearing into a big remodel, but in my experience, it’s not always necessary—or cost effective. Most of the time, if you’re not seeing signs of water damage or weird smells, you’re probably okay just checking the obvious spots. I’ve had projects where we chased every possible “what if” and ended up spending way more than needed. Sometimes you just have to accept a little risk or you’ll never get anything done.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like if you go looking for trouble, you’ll find it (and then some). But I’ve learned the hard way that plumbing is like that one friend who seems chill until they suddenly blow up your phone at 2am. You think everything’s fine, then boom: mystery puddle under the sink, or a pipe that’s been quietly leaking behind the wall since the Clinton administration.
I used to be all about just checking the “obvious spots” too. Then I did a kitchen reno in my old place and figured, hey, no weird smells, no stains, we’re golden. Fast forward to demo day and I’m staring at a colony of mold that looked like it was auditioning for a sci-fi movie. Turns out, the leak was slow and sneaky—never made a peep until we opened things up.
Now I’m not saying you need to call in a pro for every little thing (my wallet would mutiny), but sometimes a quick camera snake or moisture meter can save you from a world of pain later. Especially if you’re going eco-friendly and want to avoid ripping out new materials down the line. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about knowing what’s lurking in your walls before it tries to take over.
I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re cool with. Some folks are fine rolling the dice; others (me, after The Mold Incident) prefer to peek behind the curtain first. Either way, just don’t trust a wall that looks too perfect... it’s probably hiding something weird.
