Whole-House Repiping

When a house needs repiping

Most plumbing problems do not call for new pipes. A single leak, a worn fixture or a bad valve is a repair. Repiping enters the conversation when the pipes themselves are reaching the end of their useful life and repairs keep stacking up. The pattern is what matters: a pinhole leak in one spot, then another a few months later in a different room, tells you the metal is wearing out along its length.

Age is a clue, not a verdict. Homes built decades ago may have galvanized steel or older copper that has corroded from the inside. Water quality plays a part too, since mineral-heavy water can leave deposits that narrow pipes and wear on fittings. The only way to know is to have a technician look at the pipe, the water pressure and the repair history together.

• Repeated leaks in different parts of the house
• Discolored or rusty-looking water coming from the tap
• Low water pressure throughout the house that does not improve after fixture checks
• Visible corrosion, flaking or green and white buildup on exposed pipe
• Stains or damp spots on ceilings and walls with no obvious source
• Pipe material known to have a history of failing early

Copper, PEX and the pipes already in your walls

Two materials are common for new supply lines. Copper is rigid metal pipe joined with soldered or mechanical fittings, and it has a long record in homes. PEX is flexible plastic tubing that bends around corners, which often means fewer fittings and less opening of walls. Each has trade-offs, and the right choice depends on your house, your water and your preferences.

What is in your walls now also shapes the plan. Galvanized pipe, older copper and plastic of various kinds each age differently, and a technician can usually identify them by looking at exposed sections in the basement, crawl space or utility room. If you are not sure what you have, that is a good first thing to find out.

• Copper: rigid, well established, joined with soldered or mechanical fittings
• PEX: flexible, can be routed through walls with fewer joints
• Galvanized steel: older material that can corrode inside and restrict flow
• Mixed systems: some homes have more than one material from past repairs

Whole-house repiping versus partial repiping

Not every repipe covers the entire house. If one bathroom is failing and the rest of the system is in good shape, replacing just that branch may be the sensible approach. If the main trunk lines are corroded or leaks are showing up everywhere, going through the whole house avoids paying for the same job in pieces over several years.

A technician can usually tell you which makes sense after looking at the pipe, testing pressure and asking about your repair history. Ask to hear both options and the reasoning for each, so you can choose based on your house rather than a sales pitch.

What it is like to live through a repipe

A repipe is disruptive, but it is not endless. The water is shut off while lines are replaced, usually in stages so the house is not without water longer than necessary. Expect to plan around it: fill containers for drinking and cooking, and be ready to use another bathroom or a neighbor for a while if the work is happening in the room you use.

Walls and ceilings sometimes need small openings so new pipe can be run. A good plan includes where those openings will be, how they will be handled afterward and what drywall or paint work you may want to arrange separately. Ask about that at the start so nothing comes as a surprise.

1. A technician inspects the existing pipe, checks pressure and discusses material options with you.
2. The work is scheduled and the scope is agreed, including which rooms and walls will be affected.
3. Water is shut off and the old supply lines are removed or abandoned in place as the plan calls for.
4. New lines are run to every fixture and connected to the main supply.
5. The system is pressurized and checked for leaks before the water is turned back on.
6. Any wall openings are noted so you can arrange patching and paint.

Why call Rocket for repiping

Rocket is a locally owned West Jordan team of Bill Bashford and his sons, and you can schedule online, call or text. If the pipes in your home are giving you trouble, the first step is simply a conversation about what you are seeing.