Preparing for your re-piping

Regardless of which re-pipe company is working on your home, it is important to prepare for the worst and hope the preparations were a waste of time.  If something in your home is damaged or does not function properly as a result of the re-pipe work, having evidence of the condition prior to the work can save you from frustration if a dispute arises.
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1. Take photos and videos of everything.

It is important to get a complete record of your home before the re-piping begins.  Many homeowners have experienced damage and have sageWater typically denies any responsibility, and often claims the damage existed before they did the work.  This has occurred with cabinets, doors, flooring and appliances.  Damage to property has occurred in areas marked as green zone (not used/entered by sageWater staff).  It is important to have a record of your home before any damage is done.  Hopefully, you will not experience any issues in your home, but being prepared in case something goes wrong is an important part of being ready.

2. Test your water and heating systems

If something changes after your re-piping, having data to help you say definitively that your water or heating was working better before the work is done can help guide your plumbers to adjusting your systems to the way they were before the re-piping.

Our testing guide will help you with this preparation step. View the guide

3. Remove and securely pack items from shelves and tabletops

4. Consider securely wrapping things such as TVs, bookcases, furniture that may get hit or nicked with movers blankets and/or plastic wrap.  Use bubblewrap on fragile things.

5. Ask for the specific Pex pipe routes to be marked on the master floorplan

Have these routes marked with a pen/permanent marker, and then make duplicates to post around your home with notices that they need to contact you before deviating from that plan and/or before moving any items that were previously in the “green” zone. Put your cellphone number on the notices so they can easily reach you.

 

During the re-piping (daily)

1. Check the work done

Ensure all the open spaces are covered with plastic (especially if you have small pets) – including behind the toilets, behind any appliances that are left pulled out.

Test the drywall for moisture before allowing them to paint.  Painting over wet drywall seals moisture into the walls which can lead to mold and mildew problems.  Painting on wet drywall also makes it harder for the paint to adhere causing cosmetic issues.  If you do not have a moisture meter, please email us to use ours, or to have us check the dryness for you.

2. Make sure they plug your refrigerator in if they move it

3. Take pictures of the work that has been done

Especially note where the drywall/ceiling has been removed since these are the areas where the pipes will be/are and could need attention in the future if there are any leaks or plumbing issues.  Take pictures each day of the checklist on your door to note the work that has been done…and then verify it has been done.

Check that all areas have been done, including and especially during the drywall replacement stage.

 

After completion

Thoroughly go through your unit and check EVERYTHING before you move any of your belongings back and especially before you sign off on the work. If you are not signing off at the signoff meeting, write that on the checklist and take a picture of it. They are removing those checklists despite final work not having been approved by owner.

Consider waiting at least a week after the re-pipe company has labeled the project as “substantially complete” before signing off.  Often problems with plumbing or work that is not in plain sight isn’t noticed for many days after completion.