Signs your pipes need replacing
One leak does not mean you need a repipe. Repeated leaks do. If you have repaired several pinholes in the same year, the pipe is failing along its length, and each patch buys little time. Other signs include brown or rusty water, low pressure at several fixtures and green stains or crusty buildup on copper.
Galvanized steel pipe rusts from the inside. Over decades the opening narrows, pressure falls and the pipe eventually leaks. Replacing it with new pipe fixes pressure and removes the risk of repeated floods.
Repeated pinhole leaks
Several leaks in a year, or a leak just after another repair, point to widespread pipe wear.
Discolored water
Rusty or brown water from every tap suggests galvanized pipe corroding inside.
Low pressure everywhere
Mineral and rust buildup restricts flow. Pressure falls at the farthest fixtures first.
Pipes that are known to fail
Polybutylene and some early plastic pipes have a history of failures. A plumber can identify what you have.
PEX, copper and what to expect
| Material | Strengths | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| PEX | Flexible, fewer fittings, faster install, resists freezing damage | Not for outdoor sun exposure, needs correct fittings |
| Copper | Long track record, tolerates heat, can be repaired anywhere | Costs more, slower to install, can pit in some water |
| CPVC | Lower cost, resists corrosion | Can become brittle with age |
The plumber looks at your water chemistry, the layout and the budget. In Sanger's hard water, both PEX and copper are used. Ask what your plumber prefers and why.
The processHow a repipe works
Plan and permit
The plumber maps the lines, quotes the work and checks whether a permit applies.
Open and replace
Small access holes are cut in drywall. New lines run through walls, the attic or the crawlspace. The old lines are abandoned or removed.
Test and patch
The system is pressure tested, fixtures reconnected and wall openings closed or ready for patching.
Most repipes take a few days for an average house, and water is shut off during parts of the day. Plan for that, especially if someone in the home works from there. Drywall patch and paint are usually a separate trade.
Local fitGalvanized and aging pipe in Sanger homes
The city's housing element says 53 percent of Sanger homes were built more than 30 years ago, and about 29 percent more than 50 years ago. Not every older home needs a repipe, because many have been updated. But a home from the era of galvanized steel or early copper is a candidate, especially if leaks repeat.
The city's 2024 water quality report shows hardness averaging 145.5 ppm. Hard water scale lines old pipe and narrows it further, and a repipe is a good time to add a softener. See water softener and filtration.
Repipe or keep repairing?
Compare the cost of the repairs you expect over the next five years with the cost of a repipe. If leaks are random and years apart, repair. If they are frequent, the repipe usually costs less than three or four emergency repairs plus water damage. Also factor in resale. A newly piped home reads well in an inspection. For a leak right now, see burst pipe repair.
What affects the price of repiping
Repiping is a big job and the price depends on the house. We give a clear price before work starts after walking the home.
Insurance usually does not pay for a repipe, but it may cover damage when pipes burst. Ask your agent. Want your real number? Call (855) 575-2890.
Ready to talk repiping?
Call the line. A dispatcher books a licensed plumber to walk your home.
What to do before the plumber arrives
- Plan for the water to be off for part of the day.
- Move items away from walls and cabinets that the plumber will open.
- Keep pets and children away from the work area.
- Ask what the plumber does about wall and drywall access before work begins.
Rules for repiping
PEX and copper are both allowed by the California Plumbing Code, which follows the UPC, though local rules and the pipe's location can change what is accepted. A repipe may need a permit and an inspection, so ask your building department. Plumbing work is done under a C-36 license from the Contractors State License Board, and you can look up any license on the CSLB website.
FAQRepiping questions
A typical house takes a few days. The plumber gives a timeline when walking the home.
Some access holes are needed. PEX allows smaller openings than rigid pipe.
PEX approved for potable water is widely used. Ask the plumber for the product details.
Yes. See burst pipe repair. The 24/7 line is open now.