Well, you had a good run. You’ve gone all this time without needing a repipe, but your plumber is now advising that you get one. What is that? Sounds expensive. Well, it is. Pretty much by any metric. The reason for this is that a repipe is no quick-and-easy fix. It’s a fairly complex job involving several hours of coordinated work between quite a handful of professional plumbers. Homeowners prefer not to hear about costly repairs. A repipe should only be considered if it is absolutely necessary. It is best to consult with a licensed professional before making any decisions.

In most cases, Plumbing Heroes will conduct standard pipe repair or replacement when only one or a few pipes are damaged. Repiping, on the other hand, becomes necessary when multiple pipes are consistently malfunctioning. While a simple pipe repair is usually sufficient for sudden issues, whole-home repiping is often required when various problems affect your pipes’ performance over time. We understand that the term “whole-home” can be intimidating, but we assure you that our plumbers will make this process as smooth as possible.

CONSIDER HIRING PLUMBING HEROES FOR A FREE QUOTE (626)669-7891 FOR WHOLE-HOME REPIPE PLUMBING IF:

• You are experiencing water quality issues: If the taste or smell of your water has deteriorated, it may be due to deteriorating pipes. Look out for brownish or rust-colored water and sediment in your water, as these are signs that you may need repiping.
• Your water bills are increasing: A sudden rise in your water bill can indicate a pipe problem. However, if your water bills are steadily increasing over time without changes in water usage, your pipes may be deteriorating, necessitating repiping.
• Your water pressure is consistently low: Persistent low water pressure can indicate corroded pipes, leading to frequent clogs, leaks, or cracks.
• Your pipes are old: Older pipes tend to function poorly. If you reside in an older house, your pipes are likely aging as well. Keep an eye out for issues, especially if your house was built before the 1990s, as older pipes may be unsustainable or hazardous.
• If your pipes keep needing repairs, it may be better to replace them all at once. This can save you money in the long run compared to constantly fixing leaks and other issues.

PLUMBERS SHUT-OFF WATER VALVE

The first step to a repipe, as with pretty much any plumbing job, is to turn off the water from the main valve. This is a simple but crucial step to avoid any flooding and, of course, any unintended damage.

Once the main has been shut off, there will still be water in the pipes that needs to come out before the job can begin. Otherwise, you’ll still be facing just an unholy amount of flooding. To prevent this, all the faucets must be turned on in order to drain any remaining water out through the water heater.

PLUMBERS SETTING STAGE

One of plumbing heroes, plumbers will lay plastic sheets over the floor and over any clients personal belongings and set in place with tape – not duct tape, not electrical tape, not joint tape, but blue masking tape, as it is the only adhesive that can be placed and removed anywhere in your home without leaving any kind of residue.

DRYWALL CUTTING

Now the repipe is ready to begin in earnest, and it starts with the cutting of drywall. Yes, many walls inside your home will literally be cut open in order to access the pipes that need to be replaced, but again, this is all absolutely necessary. Still, a professional team that actually knows what they’re doing will cut as little drywall as possible and will begin close to an appliance, such as a toilet, and work out from there. It’ll still look like quite a mess to the average homeowner, but don’t worry; by the time this is over, everything, everything, EVERYTHING will be cleaned up and put back exactly the way it was.

PLUMBING PIPE REMOVAL

Once the drywall is cut and there exists adequate clearance for the plumbers to access the existing pipes, it’s time to remove them. This involves cutting the pipes into pieces and removing them little by little. At least, that’s the smart way to do it.

NEW PLUMBING INSTALLATION

New pipes will then be fed into the place of the old ones. Depending on the type of piping, this is a relatively simple step but no less dangerous, as it involves welding and working with sharp power tools.

For more information on the best type of pipes for your needs, check out our blog. Typically, PEX (cross-linked polyethylene tubing) is recommended for its flexibility and durability. Visit our PEX OR COPPER BLOG for details on different materials to choose from.

The piping you end up going will all be determined before the job even begins.

DRYWALL PATCHING

The final step in repiping your home is repairing the drywall. This comes after installing and testing the new pipes. Fixing the drywall can be a time-consuming process. This involves measuring the holes in your walls and cutting new drywall sheets to fit in their place.

After cutting and fitting the sheets, joint tape is placed over the creases where the old and new drywall meet. Joint compound is applied with a spatula, left to dry, and then sanded down. This process makes the new patches blend in seamlessly with the existing drywall.