Repiping

Repiping Plumber

Repiping is an important aspect of plumbing. Whether you have a leaky pipe, cracked pipe, or need to replace a pipe, finding the right repiping plumber is essential to getting the job done right! Repiping plumbers must be skilled and understand how to properly fix or replace your plumbing pipes. When you think that you need a pipe replaced or even a whole-house re-pipe, we are your repiping plumber of choice!

What Is Repiping?

Repiping is the process by which a plumber replaces a faulty, cracked, or leaky pipe. There are several types of pipes that can be repiped or replaced from PEX tubing for water lines, to copper pipes, to PVC sewer lines. A qualified repiping plumber will have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a repiping properly at your home or business.

Many times, this process involves spec’ing out the right pipes to use, ordering the plumbing pipes, gaining local permits, and then performing the re-pipe. At OVC Plumbing & Drain, we have over 100 years of combined experience offering repiping services in Orange County and the surrounding areas. In fact, our technicians and specialists in both residential and commercial repiping. Good repiping also involves cosmetic clean-up and repair services including drywall repair and texture matching.

What’s Involved In The Re-Pipe Process?

Repiping your house entails replacing the water supply from the meter all the way through your home along with rerouting vents from a running toilet and shower. Repiping is a complex job that entails disconnecting old pipes, testing for leaks, installing new pipe runs in existing walls, reconnecting valves to irrigation systems or washing machines, connecting back to existing waste lines or roof drains, and finally, reconnecting to the main water supply. Repiping requires disconnecting old pipes, testing for leaks, installing new pipe runs in existing walls, reconnecting valves to irrigation systems or washing machines, connecting back to existing waste lines or roof drains, and reconnecting to your main water supply.

How Do Plumbers Repipe a House?

When you want to replace your entire plumbing system, it’s time for a repiping. Repiping houses involves replacing the old water and waste lines with new materials. Re-piping can cut down on leaks and increase the efficiency of your home’s fixtures.

How long does repiping take?

Re-piping is a rather big job, so there is no real estimate as to how long it will take to complete. It usually takes around 3 days for very small homes and up to 5 days for larger ones. Re-piping only becomes necessary when corroded or damaged pipes need replacement, so homeowners might not see the immediate rewards from this action. In general, however, an efficient plumbing system can value to your home should you ever decide to sell.

Reasons for Repiping

When a home needs re-piping, there’s usually damage or deterioration in the lines that need replacing. Re-piping improves both water pressure and flow from your fixtures. Plumbers can build off of existing lines and add new ones when necessary, so every fixture is fully functional in the end. Re-piping reduces leaks in old pipes and decreases the number of clogs in drains because of corrosion, so you won’t have to call a plumber as often because this problem should also be fixed at this time.

How Repiping Professionals Work

Repipe specialists vary depending on location, materials used and other factors such as experience level and availability. A repipe generally involves a thorough cleaning of the interior and exterior of the house, identifying each fixture to determine which water lines need replacing and how many. Re-piping is usually done from the mainline on one end of the home through every single fixture to its final destination on the other side. Re-piping can utilize existing plumbing systems, but it may be necessary to make a few adjustments. After the re-piping project is complete, a good plumber will replace any damaged drywall and offer full texture matching so your home looks brand new!

Do We Need To Leave Our Home For A Whole-House Repipe?

No! Most plumbers, including us, will strategically repipe your home so that you have water to at least one bathroom on the first day. This way, you do not need to get a hotel room, but can stay in your home during the repipe project. Depending on the scope of your whole-house repipe, the plumber may even be done in a day or two, so you can get back to your normal life!

How Much Does a Whole-House Repipe Cost?

The process of whole-house repiping involves replacing all the old plumbing in your home with new copper pipes. The average cost to replumb a house will vary between $5,000 to $7,000. However, the total cost of repiping a house may be as high as $15,000 depending on a variety of factors. These variables include pipe location, number of bathrooms, the number of fixtures, and how many stories a home includes. Whole-house repipe services are typically offered by plumbing contractors who work independently or subcontract through larger companies that specialize in this type of service.

Repiping Cost Breakdown

While there are several components that affect an individual’s cost for repiping their home, there are some factors that will affect all homeowners. These include the length of the home, the distance between fixtures, and whether or not your water pressure is above 80 psi. The average cost per foot for copper repiping ranges from $3 to $5 per linear foot.

While the cost for a new plumbing system may seem high, it’s important to consider that replacing just one pipe in your home can be twice as costly as replumbing an entire house. Whole-house repipes are more affordable than repairing worn-out galvanized pipes, which can get extremely costly if broken PVC or ABS PEX plastic pipes are included in the mix. Replacing the whole house allows you to avoid this problem altogether, saving you time and money down the line.

What Types of Plumbing Pipes Should I Use?

Many homeowners believe that Plumbing Pipes are all the same. A Plumber, however, knows there are a number of Plumbing Pipe materials available to choose from, each with their own pros and cons for Plumbing. Plumbers help homeowners select the type of Plumbing Pipes that will work best in a house for Repiping.

Repiping is the process of replacing old Plumbing Pipes with new ones throughout a home. In many cases, this means replacing older metal pipes with newer Plumbing Pipe materials such as copper, CPVC or PEX. While metal Plumbing Pipe is still used in homes today, especially in situations where corrosion resistance is required, these types of Plumbing material have some serious drawbacks. Copper has been one of the most popular Plumbing Pipes for Plumbing over the years, but Plumbers recommend a number of Plumbing Pipe replacement alternatives to their customers before they suggest copper.

Why Plumbers Prefer Plumbing Pipe Replacements for Old Metal Pipes

Plumbers have been replacing older metal Plumbing Pipes with new materials due to a number of inherent drawbacks from metal Plumbing Pipes, including High Risk of Leaks. Older pipes made from metal such as lead and iron are highly prone to leaks at joints. Because these types of Plumbing material can corrode easily, any area where two sections meet is an area where there is a high risk of leakage. Even pinhole leaks in old metal Plumbing Pipes can cause significant damage down the road if a Plumber doesn’t catch them quickly enough. Plumbing Pipe made from copper, while more costly initially, has a very long life span and resists corrosion, meaning that leaks are less likely to occur. Plumbers can install Plumbing Pipes made from CPVC or PEX wherever old Plumbing Pipe is found in a home, ensuring the safest possible Plumbing System for their customers.

Repiping with Newer Materials also Saves Money

In addition to creating healthier homes, replacing old metal Plumbing Pipe with new materials saves homeowners money in terms of maintenance costs since these newer plumbing materials do not corrode easily and have a much longer lifespan than older of Plumbers. The upfront costs of Plumbing Pipe replacements may be slightly higher, but Plumbers highly recommend Plumbing Pipe replacement as a way to save money in the long run with Plumbing.

When Plumbers suggest Plumbing Pipe Replacements for older metal Plumbing Pipes, they are providing their customers with a more affordable and safe option for Plumbing as well as protecting their home from future leaks. Here are the types of plumbing pipes and what they are most used for:

PEX Tubing

PEX is made of plastic and is almost always used for running new water supply lines in your home. PEX has replaced copper piping in many new homes since it is less expensive and can easily bend around corners. When plumbers use copper pipes, they need to “sweat” the copper pipe in order to get it to bend around corners. Not only is copper material more expensive than PEX tubing, but it also takes a more skilled technician to run copper lines.

Copper Pipes

Copper pipes are the gold standard (or should we say copper standard) of plumbing. Copper pipes are always the best option when it comes to running new cold and hot water supply lines in your home. Copper is clean and does not corrode over time.

Can You Repipe My Water Main?

Yes! We have much experience re-piping water main lines! While water main piping is typically buried underground, sometimes it might be necessary to access the pipes. Repiping services can either use existing piping or install new ones, depending on the situation. Repiping is needed when the original pipe material becomes corroded or brittle and needs replacement, or if there are leaks in the current line with no possible way to patch them up. Repiping can also involve routing pipes through certain areas where they need to run at a particular direction; this often involves cutting into walls and floors of homes and businesses that have already been built.

Repipe technology has improved greatly over the years with state-of-the-art excavation methods, but repiping requires extensive digging within existing structures despite these advancements. Repipes are most commonly done in the winter when exterior disruptions are less likely to happen, but it really depends on when water mainline access is needed. Repipe specialists are sometimes able to do their work without shutting off the water supply for an entire structure, but this does depend on where they need to dig and how close they are getting to the water service line connection. Some of the more common plumbing line materials for main line re-pipes are:

  • Cast iron
  • Ductile iron
  • Steel
  • Copper
  • Vitrified clay
  • Reinforced concrete
  • PVC
  • HDPE
  • Fiberglass

Repiping Service

Thinking about a repiping service for your house? Plumbing pipes are manufactured to last a long time – sometimes upwards of 75 years! Like everything else, your pipes can corrode over time due to constant use and even household chemical drain cleaners. Some common signs of pipe deterioration are lower water pressure and water discoloration. When you think that you need a pipe replaced or even a whole-house re-pipe, OVC Plumbing & Drain is your repiping plumber of choice! Here are some common pipes we use when repiping a home:

PVC

PVC pipes are generally used for sink drain lines, toilet drain lines, bathtub drain lines, vent lines, main water supply lines, and sewer lines.

PEX

PEX piping is generally used for water supply lines. It is very flexible tubing that can weave between walls and crawl spaces. It can also be used in radiant floor heating.

Copper

Copper pipes are generally used for water supply lines and refrigerant lines. They offer excellent corrosion resistance and are very safe for water supply.

At OVC Plumbing & Drain, we have been repiping southern California homes for many years. In fact, we are the repiping plumber Orange County homeowners rely on when they need to repair or replace their pipes or plumbing systems. We understand that a whole-house re-pipe can sound intimidating. Do not worry, our technicians have over 100 years of combined plumbing and repiping experience! Check out our other plumbing services.

Schedule a Repiping Service Now!

You can reach us at (949) 775-4682 to schedule a repiping service for your home or business today from one of our licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing technicians!

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OVC Plumbing & Drain is a full-service plumbing company in Orange County. Headquartered in Irvine, we service both residential and commercial customers throughout all of Orange County. Call us today for immediate service!