Pipes & leaks
Whole-house repiping
Repiping replaces all the water supply pipes in a house with new PEX or copper. It makes sense when the existing pipe material is failing as a whole: galvanized steel that has rusted shut, polybutylene, or copper with repeated pinhole leaks. Most houses are repiped in a few days, with water restored each evening.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
Galvanized steel was common until the 1960s and corrodes from the inside, cutting pressure and turning water brown. Polybutylene, installed from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, becomes brittle and fails without warning. Lead service lines are a health concern and are being replaced by many water utilities.
During a repipe the plumber runs new lines through attics, crawl spaces and wall cavities, making small openings where needed. Old pipe is usually abandoned in place. A permit and inspection are standard, and wall patching may be included or left to a separate contractor.
Repiping at a glance
- Replaces
- All hot and cold supply lines
- Candidates
- Galvanized, polybutylene, failing copper, lead
- New material
- PEX or copper
- Typical duration
- A few days for most houses
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What are the signs you need a plumber?
- Low pressure at several fixtures
- Brown or rusty water, especially after the water sits
- Leaks appearing in different places over a year or two
- Gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110
- A home inspector or insurer flagging the pipe material
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Survey
The plumber maps fixtures, access routes and the existing pipe material.
- 2
Plan and permit
Material, routing and wall openings are agreed and a permit is obtained.
- 3
Run new lines
New pipe is installed alongside the old, then each fixture is switched over.
- 4
Inspect and close
The system is pressure tested and inspected before openings are patched.
What affects the cost of repiping?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Size of the house and number of fixtures
- PEX versus copper
- Slab, crawl space or basement construction
- How much wall and ceiling must be opened and patched
- Whether the service line from the meter is included
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Identify your pipe material where it is exposed, such as at the water heater
- Ask whether patching and painting are included in the quote
- Check whether your insurer has requirements about pipe material
Call a plumber when
- Don't repipe without a permit; it can cause trouble at resale and with insurance
Repiping questions
How do I know if my house needs repiping?
Recurring leaks in different locations, low pressure throughout and discolored water are the main signs. Houses with galvanized or polybutylene supply pipe are candidates even before leaks start.
Do I have to move out during a repipe?
Usually not. Plumbers normally work in sections and restore water at the end of each day. Expect some dust and open access holes until patching is finished.
Is PEX as good as copper?
PEX is approved by the major plumbing codes, resists scale and corrosive water and is faster to install. Copper has a longer track record and stands up to UV and heat. Both are sound choices when installed correctly.
What is repiping?
Repiping is replacing a home's water supply pipes, the hot and cold lines to every fixture, with new PEX or copper. It does not normally include drain pipes or the sewer line.
How long does a PEX or copper repipe last?
Copper typically lasts 50 years or more in normal water conditions. PEX is rated for about 50 years, and manufacturers commonly warrant it for 25.
Can a house be repiped in stages?
Yes. A plumber can repipe one bathroom, one floor or the hot side first. It costs more in total than doing it at once, because of repeated setup and wall openings.
Does repiping add value to a house?
It removes a known defect that buyers, inspectors and insurers look for, especially polybutylene and galvanized pipe. That makes the house easier to sell and insure, though it rarely returns its full cost in price.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Repiping requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
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Need a plumber for this?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.