If your home was built before 2000, there’s a good chance your pipes are showing their age, especially if you’re dealing with the galvanized steel or polybutylene pipes common in older Rescue homes. Look for brown or rust-colored water when you first turn on faucets, particularly in the morning after water has sat in the pipes overnight.
Low water pressure throughout the house is another clear warning sign, especially if it’s gotten worse over time. Check any exposed pipes in your basement, crawl space, or utility areas for rust, corrosion, or mineral buildup. If you see flaking metal or green stains on copper pipes, that’s corrosion eating away at your plumbing from the inside.
Frequent small leaks are often a sign that your entire pipe system is failing, not just one section. Many Rescue homes have galvanized steel pipes installed in the 70s and 80s that typically last 40-50 years, so if your home is approaching that age with original plumbing, it’s smart to plan for repiping before you face an emergency.