Openings are part of the job
New pipe has to reach every fixture, and that means getting inside walls. Plumbers cut openings where pipe enters a wall from the attic, where it turns, and where it comes out to a fixture. Behind a toilet, under a sink and around a shower valve are typical spots. A well-planned job keeps openings small and few, but there is no repipe without some.
Many homeowners are satisfied with the plumbing and unhappy with the walls, usually because nobody spelled out the finish. Patching a hole flat is one level of work. Matching the existing texture is another. Painting to match is a third. Decide which you expect before the first cut.
Typical opening locations
| Location | Why it is opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Behind toilets | New supply stub and valve | Often hidden by the toilet tank |
| Under sinks | Hot and cold stubs | Inside cabinets is common and easy to hide |
| Shower and tub walls | Valve connection | Access may come from the back side of the wall |
| Hallway and ceiling spots | Route turns or crossings | More visible; plan the finish |
| Garage or utility walls | Main line and water heater | Finish expectations are often lower |
Finish levels to agree on
Often included
- Drywall pieces screwed in place
- Seams taped and mudded
- Patch sanded smooth
- Debris cleaned up
Sometimes extra or excluded
- Matching wall texture
- Primer and paint
- Repairing tile around shower valves
- Repainting a whole wall to hide the patch
Prepare rooms before openings
- Move furniture and wall hangings away from bathroom, kitchen and hallway walls.
- Empty cabinets under sinks.
- Clear a path to the attic hatch and the water heater.
- Cover items you care about in rooms that will be worked in.
- Keep a small amount of your wall paint, if you have it, for touch-ups.
Questions about walls
- Roughly how many openings, and in which rooms?
- Will you patch, texture and paint, or only patch?
- Who closes the walls: your crew or a separate drywall contractor?
- How long will openings stay open before patching?
Common questions
Does PEX need fewer openings than copper?
Often, because flexible tubing can be fished around corners. The layout of the house still matters most.
Will the patches be visible?
That depends on the finish level and texture matching. Agree on it in writing beforehand.
Can I do the patching myself?
Some owners do to save money. Make sure any required inspection is complete before closing walls.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.