What You Need to Know About Replacing the Water Pipes in Your Home

Plumbing issues are an inevitable part of home ownership. Plumbing systems are complex things, and eventually, something will break down and need to be repaired. However, sometimes a basic repair isn’t adequate – and the entire home needs to be repiped. That may sound like a big and expensive project, but there’s no reason to feel intimated. This article will cover the entire repiping process, from identifying the need to replace your pipes, to choosing materials and considering what sort of plumber to hire.

Before moving on, it’s important to note that repiping is not usually a “do it yourself” project. Without professional plumbing training and experience, there is no way to safely and effectively repipe a house, since it involves demolition, planning, reconstruction, and even an open flame in some circumstances. Repiping a house should not be attempted by non-professionals.

How to Know When to Repipe Your House

A total repipe of the house is a big job. It can take a lot of time and money. That being said, having old pipes replaced is often a very good investment. There are a number of reasons that homeowners choose a replace their home water pipes:

They are tired of paying for endless plumbing maintenance work and repairs. At some point, a new network of pipes saves money compaired to constantly needing repairs and band-aid solutions to a failing plumbing system. A new pipe system will help to avoid repairs for many years and solve the root cause of plumbing system failures.
Their house uses lead pipes. Although lead pipes are typically only a concern for homes that are around 100 years old or older (they fell out of use in the 1920s), there are still some houses with lead pipes. Although there are sometimes measures in place to make these lead pipes “safer,” they still present serious risks to the health of occupants.
Their house has galvanized steel pipes. After lead pipes became unpopular, they were replaced most often by galvanized steel pipes, which were the most commonly used until the Second World War. However, galvanized steel pipes have a serious drawback – after a few decades, they can begin to corrode. As the corrosion of the pipes progresses, water flow can become inconsistent and sediment can end up in drinking water. Furthermore, under some circumstances corroded galvanized steel pipes can introduce lead into water.
They want to remodel their home. Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, installing new ones, or changing plumbing fixtures costs money. Many remodeling contractors can also do a repipe at the same time, saving money and making the process finish faster.
They want to sell their home soon. Although repiping a house doesn’t necessarily add extra value to a home, it does make sure the house sells for its full market value. Houses that are in need of repiping will be sold for under their market value because faulty pipes a massive red flag to potential buyers. New homeowners will not want to repipe their house, so even if the whole project costs only $10,000 it is reasonable to expect to get at least $15,000 less for the house because of the stress and inconvenience.
The house’s pipes haven’t been replaced in 50 years or more. The lifespan of a house’s pipes varies widely based on a plethora of factors (such as the frequency of their use, materials used for the pipes, whether the house is in a cold weather climate). However, the rule of thumb is to replace pipes if they are 50 years old or older.
The pipes are noisy. Old, faulty pipes can rattle, clang, and clack – making much more noise than they should. If pipes make more noise than the sound of water traveling through them, it can be a major sign that something else has gone wrong and it’s time for a replacement.
There are visible leaks or signs of corrosion. Obviously, leaking pipes should be immediately replaced. Condensation can happen on pipes, but if a pipe is springing a leak then it’s defintely time for a full replacement. Of course, homeowners can opt to just patch the leak or replace the individual pipe instead of repiping, but since pipes in a home are often made from the same material, it probably won’t be long until they also start leaking. In order to avoid further, more expensive repairs (e.g. water or mold damage from leaking pipes), it is smart to repipe the entire house when there’s a serious leak. It’s also a good indication that it’s time for replacement if there are stains, discoloration, flaking, small indentations, rust, or other signs of corrosion. Corroding pipes are usually not far from springing a leak, and should be replaced as soon as reasonably possibly. Corroded pipes cannot be repaired, and should be replaced in full.
The water pressure is low or inconsistent. While low water pressure can be caused by a number of different things, the most common reasons are corrosion and sediment accumulation, which block water from passing through the pipe efficiently and put additional pressure on certain sections of pipe. Low water pressure often manifests as dish or laundry washing machines gradually losing effectiveness.
The water is discolored or has a bad smell or taste. Turning on the water faucet and seeing water that starts flowing with a colored tint is a clear sign that rust or sediment has built up in the pipes and a full repiping is in order. This happens most frequently after returning from vacation or not using the home’s water for a long time (if it happens only when hot water is running, it could be due to problems with the water heater and not the plumbing pipes). A bad smell or taste is also a sign that something is terribly wrong with the pipes, and they need replacement immediately.
The water temperature is fluctuating. Although it could be a problem with the water heater, water temperature fluctuations can be due to plumbing pipe system problems too. Fortunately, there is an easy rule of thumb to follow to figure out which is causing the issue. If the water goes from hot to cold suddenly, it’s probably the water heater. If the water goes from cold to hot suddenly, it is likely an issue with old pipes jamming the regulating valve.

What is Involved in Repiping a House?

Repiping a home can be a total replacement of the entire home’s plumbing system pipes, from the bathroom to the water supply line to the kitchen to drains. On the other hand, it can involve simple changing out a piece of pipe or a portion of the pipe system. That being said, it’s important to know what steps to take either way.

The first step to take before any work is done is to get an inspection and an estimate from a qualified plumber. This is a good time to shop around between different plumbing companies, since a lot of them will offer a free estimate for a complete repipe. They will also give advice on whether it is best to go for a full repipe of the home, or whether it is best to opt for a smaller repair or repipe a single section. If it is going to be a full house repipe, then the plumber may need to get a work permit from the local or county government. After this, the repiping installation company will decided what materials are best to work with. The most common are copper, PEX, and CPVC piping.

Next, the plumbers will get to work. They should take serious care in protecting the furniture and other belongings by covering work areas in plastic tarp. During the construction process, the home’s water service will need to be shut off at times. Good plumbers should be able to do most of their work requiring a water shut off during the day so that residents can still shower, clean, and cook in the evening. Since plumbers have special tools allowing them to locate the placement of pipes behind walls, a good plumber should be able to be relatively precise and surgical with their removal of drywall. They will cut holes to allow access to the house’s pipes. Unscrupulous plumbers may knock down large portions of drywall without reason, and this is a major red flag. Once the old pipes have been replaced with new ones, the installers should patch up the drywall and restore the home to its previous condition. Ideally, it will look like nothing ever happened.

The process of repiping a house can take anywhere from a couple days to a full week. It depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the house, how much work is necessary, availability of materials and parts, and how many contractors are working on the project. If the house is especially large and not enough contractors get hired, it can take a few weeks to get the job done. If the house is in a location that experiences cold winters, it is best to replace the piping within the house during spring or summer if at all possible because freezing temperatures can interfere with the process and make it take longer than it would otherwise.

How Much Does Repiping a House Cost?

The cost of repiping a house varies from job to job and location to location. To repipe a single feature (like the tub, toilet, or something else) or small portion of the house’s pipes, it will typically cost $600 to $2000. For a complete replacement of the piping system, the cost can be anywhere from $4,000 to more than $15,000. Cost also depends on the materials chosen. For instance, PEX (which many opt for due to its durability and high quality) usually costs between $0.30 to more than $2.00 per linear foot to repipe a house. Copper pipes are typically more expensive, running between $1.00 to $3.00 per linear foot, although this fluctuates a lot since copper is a commodity. CPVC is the cheapest of all, rarely costing more than $0.50 per linear foot.

Also note that the plumber doesn’t necessarily have to remove old pipes, and the project can save a lot of money by simply having the new system installed without having the old one removed. However, there are serious advantages to removing the old pipes, such as making future plumbing projects much faster and less expensive.

home water pipes

What are the Best Pipe Materials?

One of the most important choices to make regarding a house pipe replacement is what sort of materials to use for the replacement pipes. Nowadays, there are three materials that are commonly used for internal house piping: copper, PEX, and CPVC. Each one of these materials has its unique pros and cons. Different plumbers often have their own preference (based on how affordable it is to them and how well they work with it) and will usually recommend their favorite building material. And homeowners are often wise to trust the plumbers on this matter; after all, the plumber will work best with the material they are most familiar with. However, its still important for homeowners to get a good understanding of each pipe to make a well-informed decision. That way, if they choose a material they like, they can hire a certified plumber that specializes in the pipe material they prefer.

Copper pipes are the oldest pipe material that is still commonly in use today. In fact, copper has been used for water transport pipes going back to Ancient Egypt more than 4,000 years ago. The Roman Empire also used copper pipes in their plumbing, and by the middle of the 20^th century copper was the most widely used material for plumbing in the developed world. To this day, copper pipes are considered the gold standard for home plumbing system, and with their duration of 75-100 years, that’s no coincidence. Although there have been recent trends toward using other materials, copper has a number of advantages such as:

Being extremely high durability and long lifespan compared to PEX or CPVC pipes
Being far less vulnerable to corrosion like galvanized steel pipes and other materials
Being resistant to bacteria and other contaminants
Being resistant to temperature changes and extreme weather
Being capable of withstanding shock from earthquakes and other damaging events
Being smaller and more compact than CPVC pipes
Being a tried and trued material that has been used for centuries
Being completely non-toxic
Being environmentally friendly and recyclable at the end of its lifespan

Copper piping does a few disadvantages though, such as:

Generally having a much higher price compared to other materials such as PEX
Having a high vulnerability to acidic water, which can possibly lead to pinhole leaks and other problems
Being able to burst or leak if frozen in the winter, although this is very unlikely as long as the heat stays on
Being generally louder than other types of piping, such as PEX which causes “water hammer” type noises
Requiring somewhat larger sections of drywall to be removed during installation
Requiring soldering with an open flame during installation

PEX (Cross-linked polyethylene) is a new piping material that is now popular in the United States. Until the 2000s, PEX was primarily used in Europe, but it is has gained worldwide use in the last couple decades. It is a flexible and versatile material that is easy to work with, which is why many builders prefer it. However, since it is so new, it’s not really known how long the system will last under different conditions. It has some significant advantages, such as:

Being typically less expensive than copper pipes
Being a much more quiet material compared to copper pipes
Having excellent flexibility, meaning it is easier to install since it can fed around bends in walls, and does not need joint fittings which can be a common source of leaks
Being less likely to crack or burst if frozen
Being naturally insulated which helps against loss of heat when water is transmitted over long distances
Not requiring large openings in drywall due to their greater flexibility

However, PEX also has some significant disadvantages, such as:

Releasing chemicals such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether under certain conditions, sometimes in very significant quantities (the risk of this varies depending on the brand used and other conditions).
Related to the above, can be very harmful to the environment, especially in the event of a house fire
Less durable than copper pipes
Will degrade in as little as 30 days if exposed to sunlight or UV rays

CPVC (Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipes are very common in repiping and remodeling jobs. They were first used in the 1960s and have been gaining pooularity steadily for the last 50 years. They are easier to install than copper pipes and as such are well suited for installation into an existing structure.

Usually last at least 50 years without degrading, but it’s not clear exactly how long they last under different conditions
Unlike unchlorinated PVC pipes, can be used to transport extremely hot water
Much less costly than copper pipes
Much more resistant to acidity and other chemicals in water than copper

There are a few disadvantages to CPVC, such as being more expensive than regular PVC pipes and cracking easily during earthquakes and other similar situations.

copper water piping

What Material is Best to Replace old Pipes With?

For a full house pipe replacement, it’s probably best to go with PEX or copper. CPVC lacks the flexibility of PEX and the durability of copper, so it isn’t really a good option. Copper’s is a good option for homeowners who don’t live somewhere with especially cold winters or acidic water, don’t mind having large sections of drywall taken down, open flames being used during installation, and can afford the higher price.

However, PEX is also an excellent option. PEX is significantly more affordable, quieter, and more cold- and acid-tolerant than copper. Most importantly, it is extremely flexible, and therefore can be installed very easily without tearing down huge sections of drywall, making repiping jobs far less lengthy and expensive. As long as it can be kept out of sunlight or other UV rays, the only big drawback to PEX is its potential to leach chemicals into water. There is some debate about how toxic these chemicals are, and most jurisdictions include PEX as an approved option in building codes. Regardless of their health implications, some of these chemicals (like methy tertiary-butyl ether) can cause the water in a house to take on an unpleasant flavor and odor, so it’s best to learn how to prevent them from getting in the water.

One commonly recommended solution is to avoid drinking tap water for 30 days after PEX pipe installation. Studies have shown that after a month of use, the concentration of chemicals leached from PEX piping drops to significantly safer levels.

Despite the leaching issue, PEX is still a great option for repiping. In fact, chemicals leaching from PEX at dangerous or unpleasant concentrations is actually fairly uncommon unless specific conditions occur. Two of the biggest factors are the pipe brand used and chlorination. Heavily chlorinated water can cause some brands of PEX to leach chemicals in far higher concentrations than normal, safe levels. Homeowners that are concerned about this should ask their plumber what brand of PEX they use. Reliable plumbers will know what kind of PEX they are working with and how it interacts with the local water supply.

How to Hire the Right Plumber to Replace the Water Pipes in Your Home

Since repiping a house is such a big and important project, it is crucial to hire the right plumber. Unfortunately, plumbers and other contractors are an industry rife with crooks, scammers, and frauds. It is important to look for a plumbing company that has all of the following traits.

First, and most importantly, find out if the plumber is licensed. Although plumbing issues can come up very suddenly and it can be a race to get the problem fixed as soon as possible, it is still necessary to check and see if the plumber is licensed – even in an emergency. Professional plumbers are licensed and certified, and have completed all necessary schooling and apprenticeships. Using a licensed plumber vastly reduces the risk of mistakes made during the repiping job.

Even worse, unlicensed plumbers may be uninsured. Water damage and other issues caused by a plumber’s mistake can cause major problems and be a huge expense. Picking an uninsured plumber will mean that the homeowner could be the one footing the bill. Uninsured/unlicensed plumbers often try to lure homeowners in by offering substantial discounts or using other tricks, but don’t fall for it: the risk outweighs the reward every time. Licensed contractors have a much greater incentive to perform quality work and maintain honest business practices; they might lose their license if they don’t. So when searching for a plumber, follow these steps to ensure that they are licensed:

First, check the plumber’s website to see a list of their qualifications, certifications, training, credentials, and license status. Of course, a good looking website isn’t enough.
After checking out the website, request evidence of licensing from the plumber. Licensed and fully qualified plumbers will happily give licensing and insurance evidence.
After getting the licensing and insurance proof, verify the documentation by contacting local licensing departments. Each state has different requirements and licensing organizations, so sometimes verification requires contacting the state Department of Labor, and sometimes it requires contacting other entities. Check the insurance information with the company that insures the plumber.

To verify the plumber’s license and insurance coverage, there are three types of information that can be used in the process. They are:

The plumber’s full name and other personal information
The plumbing company’s name and information (such as its registered business address)
The number that appears on the license, similar to a driver’s license number

There are some warning signs that plumbers are not licensed or reliable. Most homeowners will have a good gut instinct on this, so if something seems off, don’t hire the plumber. Look for customer reviews from review sites like Angie’s List and TrustPilot. Look for consistency in reviews, but also understand that most people leave reviews only after having an extremely good or bad experience, so there is usually some level of polarization. It’s also a good idea to check out the Better Business Bureau, an independent organization that monitors and rates businesses, and catalogs the worst operators.

Most importantly, keep an eye out for warning signs like the ones below. Some big red flags for a plumber include:

They don’t purchase their own supplies. Reputable plumbers will always purchase their own supplies and will never ask the homeowner to provide materials, tools, or anything else beside payment.
They do not provide any receipt(s) after payment. This is a very bad sign. It usually means that the plumber is trying not to leave a paper trail. The “best” case scenario in this situation is that they are committing tax fraud or cooking their books in one way or another. The worst case scenario is that they are going to claim they weren’t paid and start demanding money, or that they knowingly did something very wrong and they are planning to take off with the money, never to be heard from again.
They only accept cash payment. This is another very bad sign that means they are trying not to leave a paper trail. There are a number of reasons for only accepting cash, ranging from avoiding licensing enforcement to defrauding the government and their customers.
There is no proof of their licensing. This may seem obvious, but many homeowners have been scammed over the years by unlicensed contractors who provide fake or invalid licenses. The plumber may try to come up with a variety of excuses as to why their license can’t be verified, but don’t believe them. Crooked con artists will say absolutely anything to satisfy their greed, so don’t let them talk their way out of not having verifiable certification documents.
They are vague when they discuss the price of the job. A good, reliable, and trustworthy plumber will know about how much a job will cost, especially after inspecting the house and figuring out the materials that will be used and how long it will take. If a plumber can’t give a specific number, or at least a narrow range of numbers, find someone else immediately.
They are vague when they discuss the finish date of the job. Reliable plumbers can give a specific date when the project will be finished, or at least a close approximation. While sometimes unexpected things can come up and deadlines need to be pushed back, if a plumber is vague about the time it takes to finish before the project even begins, stay far, far away.
The plumber’s service vehicles don’t match the company that was hired. If Pennsylvania Plumbing, Inc. is supposed to come repipe the house and a van marked as Mario’s Plumbing shows up, tell them to leave. The “best” case scenario is that this is a sign that the company has changed its name recently, which usually means they’re trying to dodge negative reviews or other reputation problems. While legitimate companies do very occasionally change their name, usually they stick with a name that has a good reputation. The much worse case scenario (and also the more likely scenario) is that they are impersonating a better company with a better reputation and are fully prepared to do something wrong and let the real company take the fall for it.

If the company cannot provide adequate licensing proof, it’s a good idea to report them as an unlicensed contractor. If they show other red flags, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and consider leaving negative reviews. By doing this, you are not only getting a taste of sweet revenge against a scammer, but you are also protecting other potential future customers from the serious safety hazards and financial turmoil that comes with bad plumbing. The specific organization(s) to which homeowners should report unlicensed plumbers will vary from state to state, but finding out which is typically just a Google search away.

Of course, after eliminating the unlicensed, uninsured, and obvious con artist plumbers, there is usually still a large pool of reputable plumbers to choose from. Homeowners often feel overwhelmed with the number of choices they have in the local market, and don’t know what to look for in a good plumber. For a repiping job, though, there is usually some time to do research. And since repiping a house usually costs thousands of dollars, and since if it gets done wrong homeowners and their families can be in danger, it is critically important to choose wisely when selecting a plumber to do the job. Keep an eye out for the following signs of a good plumber:

They have been in business for many years. There’s a reason that plumbers, electricians, and other trade professions usually require apprenticeships; they are occupations that people learn through hands-on experience. And unlike some other jobs, trade profession skills grow continuously over the years and don’t “plateau,” even after decades in the trade. As such, homeowners are smart to choose a plumber that has been operating for at least 20 years to ensure that their home isn’t used for practice by a newcomer to the trade.
They are rated highly by the Better Business Bureau. As mentioned earlier, the Better Business Bureau is an independent business monitoring and rating organization. Businesses that are registered through the Bureau have a grade, from A+ to F. If the business has a low grade, that can be a big red flag. If the business has a high grade – especially the coveted A+ rating – then homeowners can be confident that they are picking the right plumber (occasionally the business will have “NR,” or “No Rating” if there is insufficent information).
They provide full and detailed estimates. Good plumbers will give specific estimates of their costs, breaking it down by labor costs, material costs, permitting fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. They will also be able to give very clear time tables for what part of the projects will be done by what date. And although unexpected things can come up, reliable plumbers usually know to expect the unexpected and factor that into their estimates.
They have plenty of references and reviews. Reliable plumbing companies will be well-reviewed online. Take reviews on the company’s website with a grain of salt, especially if they seem like they were generated by bots or sockpuppet accounts (i.e. repetitive language, profile photos using stock images, very basic and common names, etc.). However, if the plumber has good independent reviews on websites like TrustPilot and Angie’s List, that’s an excellent sign. Good plumbers will also be able to provide references in the community – in small towns these are sometimes even trusted local leaders such as city council members, religious leaders, business owners or similar figures.

Get Ready to Repipe Today!

Replacing the piping in your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, overpriced, and overrated process. Understanding the work that needs to get done and the right materials to use is half the battle. It can be a big financial investment, but once repiping is finished the plumbing system will have a lifetime of continuous high functionality ahead.

If it’s time to repipe, look no further than Bergau Home & Commercial Services. A family-owned business with nearly 50 years of experience and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Cape Coral-based Bergau Home & Commercial Services has decades of pipe replacment experience in Lee County, with intimate knowledge of what works best to fulfill its residents plumbing needs given the area’s unique conditions. or call (239) 291-5025 today for a free estimate!

When Is It Time To Repipe Your House