When to repipe
Whole-house repiping replaces every supply line in your home — from the main water entry to every fixture. It’s the permanent fix for homes with failing, corroded, or undersized pipes.
Common scenarios in the Triangle
Galvanized steel pipes (pre-1985 homes): The Triangle has a large inventory of homes built in the 1950s–1970s with galvanized steel supply pipes. These pipes corrode from the inside out over 40–60 years, producing rust-colored water, reduced pressure, and eventually pinhole leaks. If your home has galvanized pipes, repiping is a matter of when, not if.
Polybutylene pipes (1978–1995 homes): Some Triangle homes have polybutylene (poly-b) supply lines, which are known to fail prematurely. Chlorine in municipal water degrades the pipe material from the inside. Many insurance companies won’t cover poly-b homes or require replacement as a condition of coverage.
Copper with pinhole leaks: Even copper pipes can develop pinhole leaks, especially in areas with aggressive water chemistry. If you’re fixing one pinhole leak every few months, a full repipe is more economical than chasing leaks indefinitely.
PEX vs. copper
| Factor | PEX | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost | Lower | Higher |
| Installation time | Faster (flexible routing) | Slower (soldering required) |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent | Good (depends on water chemistry) |
| Freeze resistance | Better (PEX expands slightly) | Worse (rigid, splits when frozen) |
| Lifespan | 50+ years | 70+ years |
| Best for | Most Triangle repipes | High-end homes, specific applications |
We install both and recommend based on your home’s specifics. PEX is our standard recommendation for most repipes — it’s code-approved, reliable, and keeps the project cost reasonable.
What’s included
- Removal and disposal of old pipe (galvanized, poly-b, or copper)
- New supply lines to every fixture in the home
- New shut-off valves at every fixture
- Main shut-off valve replacement
- Drywall patching (access holes)
- Plumbing permit and inspection
- Pressure testing before and after