Repiping questions, answered
The questions homeowners ask most about galvanized pipe, repiping, the process, project scope, materials, and where we connect you with a contractor. Still not sure what your home needs? Call a local repipe pro, or try the interactive tools.
General galvanized pipe questions
What is galvanized pipe, and why does it fail?
Galvanized pipe is steel coated in zinc. The zinc holds off rust for a few decades, then wears through, and the steel underneath corrodes and scales up on the inside. That narrows the pipe, discolors the water, and leads to leaks. Most homes still on galvanized were built before 1960.
How do I know if my home has galvanized pipe?
Find an exposed pipe near the water heater or in the basement and try a magnet and a scratch: galvanized steel is dull gray and a magnet sticks to it, while copper is reddish and nonmagnetic. The pipe identification guide and the interactive house explorer walk through it.
Is galvanized pipe a health concern?
On its own galvanized steel does not contain lead, but where it sat downstream of an old lead service line it can absorb lead and release it later. The galvanized pipe replacement page covers the detail, and a contractor can check the line to your home.
How long does galvanized pipe last?
Galvanized supply pipe generally serves forty to seventy years. Most galvanized still in use today is at or past that, which is why rusty water and weak pressure are so common in older homes.
Repiping questions
What is a repipe?
A repipe replaces the water supply lines in a home, from where the water enters out to every fixture, with new PEX or copper. It is the lasting fix for pipe that has reached the end of its life, rather than patching one leak at a time.
Should I do a whole-house or a partial repipe?
If the pipe is failing across the house, a whole-house repipe resets the system at once. If one run is bad and the rest is sound, a partial repipe can do. A contractor confirms which fits after a look.
Will a repipe improve my water pressure?
Usually, yes. Much of the lost pressure in an older home comes from rust narrowing the inside of galvanized pipe. New pipe restores the full opening, so pressure and flow come back. The low water pressure page explains the cause.
Can old pipe affect my home insurance?
It can. Some insurers raise rates or decline coverage on homes with galvanized or gray polybutylene pipe, because both are known to fail. Replacing it can clear that, as the repipe for home insurance page explains.
Process questions
How does a repipe work, step by step?
A repipe runs in five stages: inspection, planning, removal, installation, and testing. The how it works page walks through each one with a visual.
How long does a repipe take?
Most single-family homes are repiped in a few working days, depending on the size of the home, the number of bathrooms, and how the pipe is routed.
Do I have to move out during a repipe?
Usually not. The water is off only in short, planned windows, so most households stay in the home while the crew works in sections.
Is a repipe permitted and inspected?
In most areas, yes. A repipe is a permitted job, and the new lines are pressure-tested and inspected to local code before the walls are closed up.
Cost and project considerations
How much does a repipe cost?
Every home is different, so a repipe is priced after a contractor sees it in person. We do not post a price online, because the right one depends on your home. Call and a local contractor can give you real numbers for your house.
What affects the scope of the work?
Home size and the number of bathrooms, one story versus two, the pipe material you choose, slab versus crawlspace or attic access, plaster versus drywall walls, and whether a buried main line is part of the job.
Is replacing better than repeated repairs?
Once old galvanized starts leaking, the rest of the system is usually close behind. A repipe ends the repeat-repair cycle, while patching one spot buys a little time before the next thin section goes.
Pipe materials
PEX or copper, which should I choose?
What about polybutylene or CPVC?
Polybutylene, the gray plastic pipe of 1978 to 1995, grows brittle and is usually replaced; see polybutylene replacement. Aging CPVC can crack at the fittings. Both pages explain the signs.
Could my home have a lead service line?
Homes predating the mid-1980s can have lead in the service line, old solder, or brass fixtures. The lead pipe replacement page covers how to confirm it and what the current rules require.
Service area questions
Do you serve my area?
We connect homeowners with local repipe contractors in cities across the country. Find your city under service areas, or call and we will point you to a contractor who works your area.
How do I find my city?
Browse by state on the service areas page, or use the service area finder to jump straight to your city's page.
Who actually does the work?
Independent local contractors do the work. This site is a service that connects homeowners with them, and you confirm a contractor's license and insurance before hiring, as with any home project.
Still have a question?
The fastest answer is a quick call. Tell a local contractor what you are seeing, and they will take it from there. Call now to get started.