Pipes and drains: lifespan and cost
Pipes and drains are hidden until they leak, and then it gets expensive. The table shows how long different pipes last and what replacing them usually costs.
The ranges apply to a normal-sized house. Actual cost depends on size, access and region. Lifespan means technical lifespan with normal upkeep. In a share-based flat the big repairs are a share of the housing company’s project and show up in the charge or the company loan.
| Component | Lifespan | Replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Copper water pipes | 50 yrs (40-60) | 15 000-60 000 € |
| Composite water pipes | 50 yrs (40-60) | 12 000-50 000 € |
| Cast iron drains | 50 yrs (40-60) | 15 000-60 000 € |
| Plastic drains | 50 yrs (40-60) | 12 000-50 000 € |
| Underground drain line | 60 yrs (50-80) | 10 000-40 000 € |
| Hot water tank | 20 yrs (15-25) | 1 000-3 000 € |
How long do water pipes last?
Copper pipes last a long time, but the hot water line wears faster than the cold because heat is harder on the metal. Composite pipes are modern and often run inside a conduit so a leak shows and can be replaced without breaking open walls. The oldest pipes are often near the end in old houses.
What does replacing drains and pipes cost?
Cast iron drains rust and can crack over the years, and replacing them often means opening floors and walls. In an apartment building the pipes gather into risers, and a pipe renovation is one of the housing company’s largest projects. In a house the scope is smaller but the logic is the same: the cost is the access. See the pipe renovation page for intervals and cost.
What the age of the house tells you
Certain build years carry known risks for exactly these parts. Here are the most common ones.
Pipe renovation (putkiremontti) Houses built 1900–1985
A pipe renovation may be ahead. Find out the timing and cost.
Asbestos Houses built 1930–1994
Asbestos was used in pipe insulation, tiles, fillers and vinyl tiles before 1994.
How do I know how old the pipes are?
Ask the manager or seller for the year of any lining or pipe renovation, and look in the technical room and under the sinks for markings. Pipes from the build year that have never been replaced are a clear upcoming cost.
What is lining?
Lining coats the inside of existing drains with a new layer instead of replacing them. It is less invasive than a full pipe renovation, but does not last as long and does not suit every pipe.
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