Repiping means replacing the water supply pipes in your home with new ones. It is a larger project than a single repair, and it is not always necessary, but for homes with aging, corroded or repeatedly failing pipe, it can end a cycle of leaks and low pressure and give you reliable plumbing for decades.

Pipe materials have changed over the years. Galvanized steel, popular in older homes, corrodes from the inside and restricts flow. Polybutylene, used in some homes from the late 1970s into the 1990s, is known for failure. Even copper can develop pinhole leaks in certain water conditions. Knowing what is in your walls is the first step.

We inspect, explain the condition of your plumbing and tell you honestly whether repair or repiping makes sense. If repiping is the right answer, we plan the work to limit disruption.

Repiping begins with an assessment. We look at the pipe you have, how it is routed and what condition it is in. We check pressure and flow at fixtures and look for signs of corrosion or failure. Then we talk about whether repiping is the right step.

If you decide to go ahead, we plan the layout. We decide where new lines will run, how to reach fixtures with minimal disruption and how to phase the work. In many homes, it is possible to keep water available for part of each day.

During the work, we open small access points in walls or ceilings to run new pipe. We connect new lines to the main supply and to each fixture. We cap or remove the old lines as needed.

When the new system is in place, we test it with pressure to verify that every connection is tight. We then restore water and check each fixture for flow and leaks.

Patching access points is part of the planning. We tell you what we will repair and what may need a drywall or paint contractor, so you know what to expect.

Repiping is an investment in your home. Properly done, it can improve pressure, water quality and reliability and reduce the risk of water damage from failing pipes.

Water quality is part of the decision. In some areas, certain water conditions can attack copper pipe from the inside, and in others, mineral deposits can fill older pipe. If you have noticed changes in taste, color or flow, tell us. It helps us choose a pipe material that suits the water in your home.

Another consideration is timing. If you are planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, it can be efficient to replace the plumbing while walls are already open. If you are buying a home with old plumbing, an inspection before closing can help you plan for repiping rather than being surprised later.

Insurance and resale are also worth thinking about. Some insurers look closely at the age and type of plumbing in a home, and buyers often do too. A new plumbing system can be a selling point and may give you more peace of mind as an owner.

We encourage you to ask questions at every step. Repiping is a significant project, and we want you to understand exactly what is being done and why.

A common question is whether repiping will make a mess. Any project that involves opening walls creates some dust and disruption, but a well-planned repipe keeps it contained. We protect floors and furnishings, work in a logical order and clean up as we go. We also explain which areas will be affected so you can prepare.

Another question is what happens to the old pipe. In many cases, old lines are abandoned in the wall or removed where it makes sense. We explain what we plan to do with yours and what that means for your home.