When to upgrade plumbing and electric on a DC rowhouse?

[Anonymous]

We have a 100 year old DC rowhouse that had its last (excellent) gut renovation around 30 years ago. An old galvanized steel drainage pipe just sprung a leak, but it was 30 years old. We are replacing it now, and as I stare at 3 holes in the wall (it runs up and down the whole house) we are wondering whether we should be considering an upgrade to our mechanics generally, rather than starting to see piecemeal issues. We would love to add more electric capacity upstairs, but otherwise don't need to do a major Reno in that nothing is broken. So no issues apart from this pipe, but how long before one should upgrade the electric and plumbing as a general matter? Curious. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Hace electrician look at your wiring and make a recommendation.

For plumbing, here is a list of everything we’ve had to do to our row house.

Make sure you don’t have lead or tree roots.

If you have cast iron it’s worth replacing with pvc (keeps the tree roots out, which eventually block line and cause flooding).

We installed a long exterior drain so it could not be blocked by leaves, and I had DC water install a clean out trap.

Also good to make sure the pipe to your hose is insulated so it doesn’t freeze.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are overreacting as is the poster above. Things will occasionally go wrong but you don't need to renovate your whole electrical or plumbing system. Fix problems as they arise. You will be fine.