Repiping

If a plumber has told you that patching one more section isn’t going to solve the problem — that the pipe system itself needs to be replaced — you’re facing a significant decision. Whole house repiping is one of the larger plumbing jobs a homeowner can undertake. This page covers when it’s actually necessary, what the process looks like, and what it costs.

Is Repiping Really Necessary?

It’s a fair question when someone is quoting you $5,000 to $15,000. Here’s how to think about it honestly. A single leak in an otherwise sound pipe is a repair. Recurring leaks in different locations, rusty or discolored water from multiple fixtures, low water pressure throughout the house that’s been gradually worsening, or visible corrosion on exposed pipes in the basement — these are signs that the system is failing broadly, not at one point. Patching individual sections of a corroded pipe system is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. The most common candidates for full repiping are homes with original galvanized steel supply pipes. Galvanized corrodes from the inside out — restricting flow, producing rust-colored water, and eventually failing at multiple points in a short period. Homes on copper supply lines can develop pinhole leaks over time from water chemistry and age. When leaks start appearing in different locations, the pipe material is telling you something about the system overall. If you’re not sure whether your situation calls for a full repipe or a targeted repair, our pipe repair page covers how to think through that decision. If the problem hasn’t fully surfaced yet, leak detection can tell you the extent of what you’re dealing with before committing to either path.

Pipe Material Options

We install both PEX and copper — the homeowner chooses. PEX is flexible, corrosion-resistant, and easier to route through existing walls with fewer access points. It’s the most cost-effective repiping material and handles hard water better than copper or galvanized. It’s become the standard for most residential repiping jobs for good reason. Copper is more expensive but has a proven track record and is preferred by some homeowners for its durability and the fact that it’s been used in plumbing for generations. If your home currently has copper and you want to stay with it, we install copper. We’ll give you pricing for both options and let you decide.

What the Process Looks Like

We start with a full assessment of the existing system — what’s in the walls, where the access points are, and what sequence of work keeps water service disruption to a minimum. A whole-house repipe on a typical home runs two to five days depending on size, layout, and pipe material. We plan the work to minimize wall cuts. PEX routing in particular allows runs through walls and floors with fewer openings than rigid pipe. Where walls do need to be opened, we coordinate clearly with the homeowner about what patching is involved afterward. Because we do both HVAC and plumbing, we reconnect water supply lines to the furnace humidifier, boiler, and water heater correctly as part of the job. A plumbing-only company does the pipes — we do the pipes and everything connected to them. Water service is restored as quickly as possible throughout the project. You won’t be without running water for the full duration.

Cost and Financing

Whole house repipe cost depends on home size, number of fixtures, pipe material, how accessible the existing pipes are, and whether drain lines are included in the scope. Most residential repiping projects run between $5,000 and $15,000. We give you an itemized quote after the assessment — once we know what’s in the walls, we can price the job accurately. We offer $0 down financing for qualified customers. On a job this size, spreading the cost is a reasonable option. Ask about it when you call.

Protecting the New Pipes

If hard water contributed to the failure of your old pipes, the same water will eventually affect the new ones. A water softener installation protects the investment you’re making in new piping and extends the life of every water-using appliance in the house. Our maintenance plans include annual plumbing inspections that monitor the new system going forward.