Whole House Repiping Services

Several warning signs indicate your home's plumbing system may benefit from complete or partial repiping. Frequent leaks throughout the home suggest systematic pipe deterioration rather than isolated problems. If you've experienced multiple pipe leaks in recent years, particularly in different locations, the entire plumbing system is likely deteriorating. Discolored water, especially rusty or brown water from cold taps, indicates advanced corrosion in pipes. While rust from water heaters affects only hot water, cold water discoloration suggests supply pipe corrosion. Low water pressure throughout the house often results from corrosion buildup restricting pipe interiors, severely limiting flow capacity. If multiple fixtures have weak water pressure despite adequate supply pressure, pipe deterioration is likely. Visible pipe corrosion in accessible areas like under sinks, in crawl spaces, or at water heaters indicates similar deterioration throughout hidden pipes. Exposed pipe surfaces show pipe interior condition—external corrosion indicates internal corrosion as well. Water quality issues including metallic taste, foul odors, or visible particles suggest pipe interior contamination from corrosion and deterioration. Age of plumbing system matters—homes built before 1960 often have galvanized steel pipes that deteriorate after 40-60 years, homes from 1960s-1980s may have polybutylene pipes that are known to fail, and homes with copper pipes over 50 years old experience deterioration. Pipe material identification determines urgency—galvanized steel pipes show rust, polybutylene pipes are gray plastic with QEST or PB stamped on them, and copper pipes develop pinhole leaks from corrosion. Strange noises including banging (water hammer) or whistling when using water suggest pressure and flow issues from deteriorated pipes. If you experience several of these warning signs, professional evaluation can determine whether partial or complete repiping is needed. Early repiping prevents extensive water damage from pipe failures and eliminates ongoing leak repair costs.

Whole house repiping represents a significant project, but modern techniques minimize disruption while delivering lasting results. At Down Right Plumbing, we've refined our repiping process to work efficiently while protecting your home. Initial consultation and inspection involves walking through your home identifying all plumbing fixtures, assessing current pipe materials and conditions, identifying problem areas, discussing your concerns and preferences, and providing detailed estimates with multiple material options. Project planning includes determining optimal pipe routes minimizing wall opening requirements, identifying access points for running new pipes, planning work sequencing to maintain water service as much as possible, and estimating project timeline typically 3-7 days depending on home size. Preparation phase includes protecting floors, furniture, and belongings with tarps and barriers, setting up tools and materials, shutting off water supply at meter, and draining existing pipes. Demolition as needed includes opening walls at strategic access points (typically fewer and smaller openings than homeowners expect), removing old pipes from accessible areas, and carefully protecting opened areas from dust and debris. New pipe installation involves running new supply lines to all fixtures using optimal routing, properly sizing pipes for adequate flow, installing proper supports and hangers, using quality fittings and connections, maintaining adequate separation between hot and cold lines, and installing new shutoff valves at fixtures. Connection and testing includes connecting new pipes to fixtures, connecting to water supply, pressurizing the system gradually checking for leaks, testing water flow and pressure at all fixtures, and verifying no leaks before covering. Wall repair involves patching drywall at access points, texturing to match existing walls, and priming patched areas (final painting is typically homeowner responsibility or arranged separately). Final walkthrough demonstrates water flow at all fixtures, explains new shutoff valve locations, reviews pipe materials and warranty information, and ensures your complete satisfaction. We work room by room when possible, maintaining water service to parts of the home during work. Most homes have water restored each evening, though this varies by project specifics. Our efficient process, experienced crews, and careful planning minimize disruption while delivering quality results that last decades.

Selecting appropriate pipe materials for repiping involves balancing durability, cost, code requirements, and specific applications. We offer several material options, each with distinct advantages. Copper piping has been the gold standard for decades, offering excellent durability (50+ year lifespan), resistance to corrosion in most water conditions, compatibility with all fixtures and applications, and proven track record. Type L copper (thicker walls) is standard for residential repiping. Copper costs more than PEX but less than in previous decades. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has become increasingly popular for repiping, offering excellent freeze resistance (expands without bursting), flexibility reducing fittings and potential leak points, corrosion immunity, lower material and installation costs than copper, and faster installation. PEX is approved for residential water supply in most jurisdictions and has a 50+ year expected lifespan. PEX is available in different colors (red for hot, blue for cold, white for either) simplifying identification. CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) is another plastic option offering corrosion resistance, lower cost than copper, easier installation than metal pipes, and code approval in most areas. CPVC is less flexible than PEX, requiring more fittings. It can become brittle with age and is more vulnerable to impact damage than PEX or copper. Material selection considerations include budget constraints (PEX typically costs 30-40% less than copper for materials plus reduced labor), local code requirements (all materials must be code-approved), water chemistry (acidic water may affect copper while having no effect on PEX), installation preferences (PEX installs faster with fewer access points needed), and personal preferences. Hybrid approaches using PEX for long runs with copper for exposed areas visible from fixtures combine benefits—PEX efficiency where hidden, copper aesthetics where visible. For complete repiping, we typically recommend PEX for most residential applications due to its combination of performance, durability, cost-effectiveness, and installation efficiency. However, we're experienced with all materials and happy to install your preference. During consultation, we'll discuss materials options, advantages and disadvantages of each, costs, and recommendations for your specific situation.

Not all homes require complete repiping—sometimes partial repiping addresses problem areas cost-effectively. Understanding options helps you make informed decisions. Complete whole house repiping replaces all water supply lines throughout the home from the main shutoff to all fixtures. This approach makes sense when pipes are uniformly old (40+ years for galvanized, 50+ for copper), multiple leaks have occurred in different areas indicating systematic deterioration, water quality or pressure issues are widespread, the home has problematic pipe materials (galvanized steel, polybutylene), or you're completing major renovation. Benefits include complete solution eliminating ongoing pipe problems, uniform materials throughout the home, comprehensive warranty coverage, elimination of mixing old and new pipes, and decades of reliable service. Partial repiping targets specific problem areas or sections while leaving sound pipes alone. Partial repiping makes sense when problems are localized to specific areas, most pipes are relatively new or in good condition, budget constraints make complete repiping prohibitive currently, or certain areas are inaccessible without extensive demolition. Common partial repiping projects include replacing galvanized supply lines while leaving newer copper drains, replacing pipes in main bathrooms or kitchens while leaving bedrooms for later, replacing hot water lines that corrode faster than cold lines, or replacing pipes in areas experiencing repeated leaks. Partial repiping considerations include ensuring compatible materials where new pipes connect to old (using proper transition fittings), understanding that remaining old pipes will continue aging, and planning for potential future repiping of remaining sections. Repair vs. repiping decisions depend on several factors—age of existing pipes, frequency and cost of recent repairs, extent of deterioration, and long-term plans for the home. If pipe problems are extensive and pipes are old, complete repiping usually provides better long-term value than ongoing repairs. However, if problems are isolated and most pipes are sound, targeted repair or partial repiping may be more appropriate. We provide honest assessments of your plumbing system condition and cost-benefit analysis of repair, partial repiping, or complete repiping options, helping you make informed decisions aligned with your circumstances and goals.

Understanding repiping costs helps you budget appropriately and evaluate this investment. Complete whole house repiping typically costs $4,000-$15,000 depending on home size, materials selected, pipe accessibility, and local labor rates. A typical 1,500-2,000 square foot home averages $6,000-$10,000 for complete repiping using PEX, while copper repiping typically costs 30-40% more. Larger homes, homes with complex layouts, or homes requiring extensive wall opening may cost more. Partial repiping costs less—replacing pipes in a single bathroom might cost $1,500-$3,000, while kitchen repiping often costs $2,000-$4,000. Cost factors include home size and fixture count (more fixtures require more pipe and labor), pipe material selection (PEX most economical, copper most expensive), accessibility (homes with crawl spaces or unfinished basements cost less than slab homes requiring wall openings), complexity of layout, local permit and inspection fees, and wall repair extent (we patch drywall; final painting is typically separate). Value considerations extend beyond cost. Benefits of repiping include elimination of leak-related water damage (a single major leak can cause $5,000-$20,000 in damage), improved water pressure throughout the home, better water quality without corrosion contaminants, increased home value (updated plumbing is attractive to buyers), comprehensive warranty coverage (our workmanship warranty plus manufacturer material warranties), decades of reliable service (50+ year lifespan for quality materials), reduced water waste from leaks, and peace of mind knowing your plumbing is sound. Return on investment varies—while you may not recover 100% of repiping costs immediately during home sale, updated plumbing facilitates sales, may be required for FHA financing, and protects against inspection issues that could prevent sales. For long-term homeowners, repiping cost is easily justified by eliminated repair costs, prevented water damage, and improved living comfort. Compared to ongoing leak repairs at $500-$2,000 each plus water damage restoration at thousands more, comprehensive repiping provides better value and lasting solution. Financing options make repiping accessible—we offer financing through approved lenders, allowing you to pay over time while immediately enjoying benefits and protection of new plumbing. Many homeowners finance repiping as part of home equity loans or lines of credit. The investment in repiping protects your largest asset—your home—while dramatically improving daily quality of life.

Whole house repiping represents a significant project requiring expertise, efficiency, and trustworthiness. At Down Right Plumbing, Doug has extensive experience with repiping projects throughout Rockwall and the DFW area, earning our reputation for quality workmanship and customer service. Our comprehensive repiping services include detailed inspection and consultation, transparent pricing with written estimates, complete material options (PEX, copper, CPVC), expert installation by experienced plumbers, proper permitting and inspections, pressure testing ensuring leak-free performance, professional wall patching, thorough cleanup, and comprehensive warranties. Our repiping process minimizes disruption through efficient work practices, protective measures for your home and belongings, strategic access planning minimizing wall openings, room-by-room sequencing when possible maintaining partial water service, and clear communication about daily progress and expectations. Our experienced crews work efficiently—most homes are completed in 3-7 days from start to finish. We treat your home with respect using floor protection, dust barriers, careful work practices, daily cleanup, and thorough final cleanup leaving your home clean and orderly. Our pricing is transparent and competitive with detailed written estimates explaining all costs, no hidden fees, and project cost protection (no surprise charges for standard installations). We offer financing options making repiping accessible. All work is performed by licensed, insured plumbers and backed by comprehensive workmanship warranties plus material manufacturer warranties. We handle all permitting and schedule required inspections ensuring code-compliant installation. We serve Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City, McLendon-Chisholm, and throughout DFW with professional repiping services. Whether your home has aging galvanized pipes causing problems, you're experiencing frequent leaks throughout your home, or you want to proactively replace old pipes before failures occur, trust Down Right Plumbing for expert repiping that provides decades of reliable service and peace of mind. Contact us today for comprehensive plumbing inspection and detailed repiping consultation and estimate.