What is whole-house repiping? Repiping replaces most or all of a home’s water supply piping, the pressurized lines that feed sinks, showers, toilets and appliances. In a slab home, the new lines are typically routed through the attic and walls rather than under the concrete, so future leaks can’t hide beneath the floor.
Repiping is the largest of the slab leak repair options available to Greenacres homeowners, and it isn’t the right first answer for every leak. It becomes worth discussing when the evidence says the problem is the pipe as a whole, not one unlucky spot.
Signs it may be time to repipe
- More than one slab leak in recent years, especially on different lines.
- Pinhole leaks showing up in exposed pipe too, such as under sinks or at the water heater.
- Discolored water or visible corrosion on exposed fittings.
- Pressure dropping throughout the house even after individual leaks are fixed.
- A home with its original plumbing that’s now several decades old. Many Greenacres homes date from the building boom that began in the 1970s.
What a repipe involves
- Assessment and plan: which lines are replaced, the route through the attic and walls, and the pipe material.
- Permits: repiping is major plumbing work, and a permit is commonly required. Confirm the provider will handle it.
- New lines installed overhead and dropped through walls to each fixture, while the old under-slab lines are capped.
- Connections and testing: fixtures reconnected, the system pressure-tested and flushed.
- Wall patching: access openings are closed. Ask whether texture and paint are included.
Many homeowners keep water service most evenings while a repipe is underway. Ask the provider how they schedule shut-offs.
PEX or copper?
| PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) | Copper | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Flexible; fewer fittings; faster through tight framing | Rigid; more joints; more labor |
| Corrosion | Doesn’t corrode | Can corrode depending on water chemistry |
| Attic heat / UV | Must be kept out of sunlight and properly supported | Tolerates heat well |
| Typical cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
Both are widely used. The right choice depends on the home and the installer, so ask why they recommend one over the other.
Repipe vs. repairing one leak at a time
A single spot repair or reroute of one line costs less up front. But if the rest of the piping is the same age and material, more leaks are possible, and each one brings its own detection visit, repair bill and potential water damage. A repipe costs more once, and in exchange it takes supply lines out of the slab altogether. Asking for both quotes is the best way to decide.
This question comes up often in established neighborhoods such as those in Palm Springs and Lake Worth Beach, where some homes are older than most of Greenacres.
Related slab leak services
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to repipe a house?
It depends on the size of the home and how many fixtures there are. Many single-family repipes take a few days. The provider will give you a schedule with the quote.
Does repiping stop slab leaks for good?
Repiping that routes new supply lines overhead removes those lines from under the slab, so they can no longer leak beneath the floor. Drain lines are a separate system and aren’t usually part of a supply repipe.
Will I have water during a repipe?
Many providers restore water at the end of each workday, but schedules vary. Ask how they handle shut-offs before work begins.
Is repiping covered by insurance?
Repiping is often considered maintenance or an upgrade rather than sudden damage, but policies differ. Check with your insurer.