What this covers
Repiping replaces the water supply lines in a house, every run from the main shutoff to each fixture. It is the answer when galvanized steel has rusted shut, polybutylene is failing, or copper has pinholed in several places and leaks have become a pattern. The plumber plans routes through the basement, crawl space, attic and walls to keep openings few and small, runs new copper or PEX, often to a central manifold with a valve for each fixture, and connects every stop and fixture. Careful work means straight, supported runs, insulation in cold spaces, and a pressure test before any wall is closed.
When to call
- Rusty or discolored water, especially from the hot side, after the tap sits.
- Low pressure throughout the house that a new fixture does not fix.
- A second or third pinhole leak in copper, or any leak in polybutylene.
- Galvanized steel pipe in a house more than fifty years old.
What to expect
- SurveyThe plumber maps the existing lines and plans the new routes and access openings.
- Run new linesCopper or PEX is run and supported, usually over one to three days with water restored each evening.
- Connect and testFixtures, valves and the water heater are connected and the system pressure-tested.
- Close upAccess openings are patched, and where the local code requires it, the work is inspected.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Copper or PEX?
Both are accepted by code in most areas. PEX is flexible, needs fewer fittings and resists freezing; copper is rigid and long established. The plumber recommends one based on the house and local water.
How much of the house is opened up?
Less than most people expect. Lines run through the basement, attic or crawl space where possible, with small openings in walls at each fixture. Drywall repair and paint follow.
Can repiping be done after a water loss?
Yes, and it is often the right time, since walls are already open for drying and a failed line was the cause. The company sequences it before the rebuild.
Related: Plumbing leak repair · Water heater installation · Burst and frozen pipe cleanup · All plumbing
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.