Repipe (Whole-House Repipe)

A repipe (or whole-house repipe) is the complete replacement of a home's interior water supply lines — hot and cold — from the main shutoff to every fixture. The old pipes are abandoned in place or removed, and new pipe is run through walls, floors, and ceilings to all fixtures.

Common reasons to repipe:

• Galvanized steel pipes (common in homes built before 1970) corrode from the inside out, reducing flow and eventually leaking. When water runs orange or brown after periods of non-use, galvanized corrosion is the likely cause.
• Polybutylene pipe (installed approximately 1978–1995) is prone to micro-fracturing, especially at fittings. If your home has gray plastic supply pipes, a repipe is strongly recommended — many insurance companies refuse to cover polybutylene homes.
• Repeated slab leaks — two or more slab leaks in a copper system within 5 years indicates the entire pipe run is failing and a repipe is more cost-effective than repeated spot repairs.
• Pinhole leaks throughout copper pipes in hard-water cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson) indicate systemic corrosion.

PEX vs. copper for repiping: PEX is the dominant choice in 2026. It costs 30–50% less than copper, installs faster (fewer joints), resists freeze damage, and is immune to hard-water corrosion. Copper is still specified in some markets by code or by homeowner preference.

Repipe cost in 2026:

• 2-bath home, PEX: $4,500–$9,500
• 2-bath home, copper: $8,000–$16,000
• 3-bath home, PEX: $7,000–$14,000

Most repipers patch drywall access holes as part of the job. Permits are required in most jurisdictions — a licensed plumber pulls the permit as part of the contract.