--24.205.xx.xxx

If it is that old, I presume you mean iron pipe you will have to deal with it soon anyway. The real question is how easy is it to split, or is it all inter connected --173.50.xx.xxx

Good time for some new pex and new meters , a good investment all around. You'll save on utilities and you'll save on the inevitable disaster when a pipe breaks in the middle of winter on a holiday weekend (LOL) --108.220.xxx.xx

i'm in the middle of re-plumbing a duplex. One water line in, but two meters there. One being the cities, the other being mine. 1" pex lines to a manifold after the meters. I'll still get a bill, but will read the one meter and sub meter it to them. this is legal in IN, but you need to check your state laws. --67.236.xxx.xxx

If there is galvinized pipe then eventually the pipe will fail. Galvinized metal pipe is iron pipe with a galvinized coating. Using pex piping is a easy way of replacing all the water piping. A lot of contractors tend to do things the old way instead of using new materials. There are two types of pex the stuff they sell at the big box stores and the contractors pex at the plumbing wholesaler. A type pex one expands with a special tool then the pex shrinks back on the fitting. The other pex uses crimp rings. --74.220.xxx.xxx

If the pipe is old then do not delay making repairs, how would a tenant turn off a riser when a leak occurs? If they told the judge they could not turn off the water because the equipment is inoperative/old the judge will order you pay the whole bill as well as the repairs so you do not leave your tenants without sanitation - Oh yes, get a plumber who can repair things, the judge would tell you that also. --76.241.xxx.xxx

I make the tenants sign a contract to split the bill and state an average monthy useage based on the last 24 months. If the tenants have seperate water heaters, I put a sub meter at the cold water input of the water heaters and record each months useage. If one month all of a suddent the water bill sky rockets, I can see which tenant is using more hot water than normal and allocate a fair share each tenant should pay. Otherwise I have to pay the difference of the higher bill. --173.58.xxx.xxx

Reid is right on. Total tear out, replace with PEX and two new meters. Your profit margin will go up. --209.239.xxx.xxx

New Jersey --198.228.xxx.xxx

Do they share a water heater? IF they have seperate heaters this is what i would do- see if there is a way to install a small flow meter on the water heater and measure the amount that each of them are using. So even if you couldnt get the utilies to install a 2nd meter you could more fairly split the bill. There are lots of options you just have to be a little creative. I wouldnt re-plumb unless i just HAD to. --166.147.xxx.xxx

Conceive a child and raise a plumber. If you prefer to avoid the first eighteen years, fund a young adult's education. Hey, you said creative. --68.83.xxx.xx