When repiping comes up
Galvanized steel was common in older California homes. It corrodes from the inside, so the opening slowly narrows and the water can turn brown after it sits. Copper replaced it in many houses and lasts well, but decades of hard water, high pressure or poor original workmanship can lead to pinhole leaks, sometimes under the slab.
Repiping usually becomes the conversation after the second or third leak, when pressure has dropped throughout the house, or during a remodel when walls are already open. In a slab-on-grade house the new lines are normally run through the attic and down the walls rather than back under the concrete.
Pipe materials compared
| Material | Strengths | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | Durable when new | Corrodes inside, narrows over time; not used for new work. |
| Copper (type L or M) | Long track record, heat tolerant, rigid | Soldered or pressed joints; can pinhole with aggressive water or high velocity. |
| PEX | Flexible, fewer fittings, quick to install | Must be protected from sunlight and supported properly; uses crimp or expansion fittings. |
| CPVC | Lower material cost | Can become brittle with age; less common for whole-house repipes. |
Signs a house may need repiping
- Brown or rusty water, especially first thing in the morning.
- Low pressure at most fixtures, not just one.
- More than one pinhole leak in copper within a few years.
- Visible galvanized pipe at the water heater, hose bibs or under sinks.
- A previous slab leak and the original lines still in use.
How a typical repipe unfolds
- Before
- Walkthrough, written scope, material choice and permit application.
- Day 1
- Furniture protected, small openings made in walls and ceilings, new lines run through the attic.
- Middle
- Fixtures connected to new lines; water is usually off only for parts of the day.
- Inspection
- The new piping is pressure-tested and inspected before walls are closed, where required.
- After
- Drywall patched; painting may be separate. Old lines are capped and abandoned.
What drives the cost
- Number of fixtures
- Each bathroom, kitchen and laundry adds runs
- Material
- Copper and PEX differ in material and labor
- Access
- Attic height and wall finishes
- Extras
- New shutoffs, main valve, pressure regulator
- Permit
- Commonly required; check with the city
Questions to ask before repiping
- Which material do you recommend for my house and water, and why?
- Will the main line from the meter be replaced too?
- How many days will we be without water, and for how long each day?
- Is drywall patching included, and to what finish?
- Who pulls the permit and schedules inspections?
Common questions
Can I live in the house during a repipe?
Usually yes. Water is shut off for parts of each day while connections are made, and the house is restored to working water at night in most jobs.
Is PEX safe for drinking water?
PEX approved for potable water is widely used in California homes. Ask your plumber which product they use and why.
Should I repipe or just fix the next leak?
One leak in otherwise good pipe is a repair. Repeated leaks, low pressure and galvanized pipe tip the balance toward repiping.
General information for La Mirada, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.