What a repipe replaces
A repipe replaces the water supply system: the hot and cold lines from the main shutoff to every fixture, the stop valves under sinks and toilets, and the connections at the water heater. Drain and vent pipes are a separate system and aren't included unless the quote says so. The old pipe is usually abandoned in place where it can't be pulled out easily.
Cost by material
| Material | Installed, whole house | Material per linear foot |
|---|---|---|
| PEX | $2,000–$5,000 | $0.50–$3 |
| Copper | $5,000–$20,000 | $2–$8 |
| Any material, overall range | $2,000–$15,000 |
Source: Fixr, Cost to Replace Lead Pipes in Homes, October 3, 2024, which gives whole-house figures by material and labor at $50 to $150 an hour.
PEX or copper
Both carry drinking water safely for decades. The practical differences decide most jobs.
| PEX | Copper | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | Lower | Higher, often two to four times |
| Corrosion | Doesn't pit or corrode | Can pit in some water chemistry |
| Freezing | Flexes and often survives a freeze | Splits when water inside freezes |
| Installation | Long flexible runs, few fittings, less wall opening | Rigid lengths, soldered or pressed joints |
| Weak points | Sunlight, heat near water heater flues, fittings | Joints, high flow speed, water chemistry |
When the reason for the repipe is repeated pinhole leaks in copper pipe, PEX is the usual choice.
Polybutylene pipe replacement
Gray plastic supply pipe, often stamped PB2110, went into houses from about 1978 into the mid-1990s. It fails suddenly, usually at fittings, rather than seeping first. A national class action, Cox v. Shell Oil, settled in 1995 and paid for repiping hundreds of thousands of homes, but its claims period closed in 2009, so owners who didn't file are still on the original pipe. Many insurers ask about it, and home inspectors flag it. A polybutylene repipe is priced like any other; the difference is that it is rarely optional for long.
Galvanized pipe replacement
Galvanized steel supply pipe was common in houses built before the 1960s. It rusts from the inside, narrowing the bore over decades, so the typical complaints are weak pressure, rust-colored water after the tap sits, and leaks at threaded joints. Unlike a single pinhole, galvanized problems are spread through the system, which is why partial fixes rarely last. Low pressure alone has other causes too; our low water pressure page covers them.
What else belongs in the quote
- Number of fixtures and bathrooms covered, and whether outdoor faucets are included.
- New stop valves at every fixture and new water heater connectors.
- Whether the main shutoff valve is replaced at the same time.
- Drywall and plaster patching, and whether painting is included.
- Permit and inspection. The International Plumbing Code (§106.2) exempts only stopping leaks and clearing stoppages, not replacing the system.
- Lead content of fittings and solder: EPA's limits are a weighted 0.25 percent on wetted surfaces and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.
Repipe or keep repairing?
Repairs make sense while leaks are rare and reachable. The balance shifts when leaks recur on different lines, when each one means opening a finished ceiling, or when the pipe is polybutylene or badly corroded galvanized. A repipe also answers a question buyers and insurers ask. If the immediate problem is a single leak under a concrete floor, compare with the options on the slab leak repair page first.
Repipe questions, practical side
Do we need to move out during a repipe?
Usually not. Many crews work room by room and restore water at the end of each day. Expect to be without water for parts of several days, and plan around the kitchen and bathrooms.
Will every wall be opened?
No. Plumbers fish new PEX through walls from the attic, crawl space or basement and cut small openings at each fixture and turn. Ask whether patching and painting are in the quote; patching often is, painting often isn’t.
Is PEX safe for drinking water?
PEX sold for potable water in the U.S. is certified to drinking-water standards, which you can confirm from the markings printed on the pipe. As with any material, the fittings and solder must also meet the federal lead limits.
Does a repipe need a permit?
In almost every jurisdiction, yes. The International Plumbing Code’s permit exemptions cover stopping leaks and clearing stoppages, not replacing the water distribution system. The inspection also protects you when the house is sold.
Sources
- Cost to Replace Lead Pipes in Homes (whole-house repipe by material), Fixr, October 3, 2024.
- International Plumbing Code 2021, Chapter 1: Scope and Administration (§106.2, work exempt from permit), International Code Council.
- Lead content limits for pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder and flux (Safe Drinking Water Act §1417), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated May 19, 2026.
Reviewed September 27, 2026. Found an error? Write to admin@plumbingrepairquotes.com.