Whole-house repiping · Bountiful, UT
Pinhole Leaks Keep Coming Back? When Whole-House Repiping in Bountiful Makes Sense
Repiping replaces the supply pipes that carry water through the house. It is a large job, so the first question is whether you need it at all. This page covers the signs, the materials and what the project involves.
Repair one leak or replace the pipes
A single failed fitting or one burst pipe is a repair. Repiping makes sense when the pipes themselves are failing along their length and each repair only moves the problem.
| Situation | Usually points to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One leak, rest of the pipe in good shape | Repair, see burst and broken pipe repair | The cause is local |
| Repeated pinhole leaks in different places | Repiping | The pipe is thinning along its length |
| Brown or rusty water from several taps | Check the pipe, may need repiping | Corroding steel pipe sheds rust |
| Low pressure at many fixtures, no clog | Check the pipe, may need repiping | Mineral and rust buildup narrows old pipe |
| A pipe material known to fail early | Repiping | Replacement before more leaks |
Signs your pipes are near the end
Look for patterns, not a single event.
- Pinhole leaks, or a green or white crust on copper pipes.
- Rusty or discolored water that does not clear after running the tap.
- Pressure that drops over time at several fixtures.
- Visible pipe that is flaking, bulging or stained at joints.
- More than one repair on the same run in a short time.
Bountiful grew fastest from the late 1940s through the 1960s. If your home dates from that era, ask what the supply pipe is, since older homes may still have older pipe material. A visual check and a pressure reading tell more than the age of the house.
The common pipe materials, in plain terms
Plumbers use several materials, and each has trade-offs. Ask which one is proposed and why.
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Copper | A long-established material. Can pinhole in some conditions and costs more to install. |
| PEX | Flexible plastic tubing that runs through walls with fewer joints. Quick to install. |
| CPVC | Rigid plastic used for hot and cold water lines in some homes. |
| Galvanized steel | Older pipe that rusts from the inside, narrows and sheds rust. Often a reason to repipe. |
| Polybutylene | A gray plastic used in some homes in past decades. Known for failing, and often replaced. |
Local code decides which materials are allowed and how they must be installed, so ask the Bountiful Building Department at 801-298-6125 for the current rules on a given job.
Whole-house, partial or run-by-run repiping compared
Repiping does not have to be all or nothing. A plumber may suggest replacing the worst section first.
- Whole house: all supply lines replaced in one project. It ends repeated repairs.
- Partial: one bathroom, the kitchen or a single level, usually when the rest of the pipe is in good shape.
- Run by run: replace failed sections as they fail. It spreads the cost but leaves the cause in place.
A camera or a pressure test shows how much of the line is failing, and the plumber should explain what they saw before recommending a whole-house job.
A repipe from walk-through and access holes to patching
A repipe takes planning, because water is off for part of each day and walls are opened.
- The plumber walks the house, finds the main line, the fixtures and the water heater, and plans the route.
- Small access holes are cut in walls and ceilings to run the new pipe.
- New lines go in, usually starting at the main and working toward the fixtures.
- The lines are pressure tested, connected to fixtures and flushed.
- Walls are patched, and finishing is quoted separately or by a different trade.
Ask how many days the water will be off, how the household will manage, and how the access holes will be patched. If the pipes also run in a slab, see under-floor leak options.
Water quality, pressure and the water heater
A repipe is a good time to look at the rest of the system. New piping does not change the water that flows through it, so the water's mineral content still matters. Bountiful's city water report describes the supply as relatively hard, so ask whether a softener or a filter makes sense. See softening or filtering the water.
Pressure that is too high can stress new pipe, so ask whether a pressure reducing valve is in the plan. Water heater connections are also replaced during a repipe. If the heater is old, the water heater replacement page describes the choices.
Living in the house during a repipe
A repipe disrupts daily life, and it is easier to handle if you plan for it. The water is usually off for part of each working day, and rooms with open walls are not usable until patched.
Plan where to wash, cook and use the toilet while the water is off, and ask the plumber for a schedule that says when each fixture will be back. Move furniture and valuables away from the walls where the plumber will cut. Dust is part of the job, so ask what protection goes down over floors, and whether the crew will cover vents and doorways.
- Ask which rooms will be out of use and for how long.
- Ask whether the water heater stays on or is shut down during the work.
- Keep pets and children away from open walls and tools.
- Take photos of the walls before the crew starts, so the patching is easy to judge.
Weighing the project against repeated repairs
Repiping costs more at once than a single repair, and the question is whether it costs less than the repairs that will follow. A pipe that has failed three times in a few years will usually fail again. Each repair also opens a wall, and a leak that goes unnoticed can cause damage that is far larger than the pipe repair.
Ask the plumber to estimate what the next failure is likely to cost if nothing is replaced. If a sale is planned, a buyer's inspector may flag certain pipe materials, which is another reason to find out what is in the walls before listing.
Permits, inspection and who does the work
A whole-house repipe is major plumbing work, and a permit and inspection are usually part of it. The Bountiful Building Department at 801-298-6125 can confirm what applies. Ask the plumber who is pulling the permit and whether the inspection is included in the quote.
Utah plumbing licenses can be checked at the state plumbing license page, and license details are available on request before work begins.
What to ask before you approve a repipe
A repipe quote should answer these questions in writing.
- Which material and why, and what is the warranty on both product and labor.
- Whole house or partial, and what is left out.
- How many days the water is off each day.
- Who patches and paints the access holes.
- Who pulls the permit, and is the inspection included.
Ranges are on the repiping cost ranges, and the plumber confirms the price after a walk-through.
Describe the leaks, the water color or the pressure drop.
Call (833) 840-2034Ready to find out if your pipes need replacing?
Call (833) 840-2034 and describe the leaks, the age of the home and what the water looks like. A plumber will explain whether a repair or a repipe fits.