What Is the Real Average Cost To Repipe a House?

No plumbing equipment is indestructible, and even the most secure and long-lasting pipe systems will ultimately fail.

If your home’s pipes are significantly damaged, a simple repair may not always be enough to stop a leak. A moderate to severe pipe leak may often only be repaired by repiping.

The plumbing pipes in your home should last between 80 and 100 years, on average.

Because of their long life span and the fact that they’re concealed behind walls, you’ve never seen your pipes before, so how would you know whether they need to be replaced?

We’ve put together this guide to show you some signs that you need new pipes. We answer all your questions and provide costs for repiping a house.

Jump to a Section

• What Can Influence Plumbing Replacement Costs?
• Signs You Need New Plumbing Pipes
• Cost of Copper Repiping Service
• Cost of CPVC Pipe Repiping Service

What Factors Influence the Cost of Plumbing Replacement in an Old House?

The cost of repiping a home varies. What factors impact the cost of repiping a house? Here are some of the important considerations:

• The home’s size: Larger homes with more plumbing will, by definition, cost more to repair than smaller ones with simpler systems. Prices may be described in terms of the “cost of plumbing a house per square foot.”
• The material used to replace water pipes: The material you pick for new pipes can have a significant influence on the cost of replacement. Plastics are often less expensive than copper, but you must also consider the usable life of each type of pipe.
• The procedure for replacing water pipes: Manually removing and replacing pipes and digging deep trenches is a time-consuming and costly technique for replacing mains; however, trenchless technology can help speed the process and lower total expenses.
• How comprehensive the replacement work must be: Some plumbing firms may offer a lower price if they replace exposed piping, not those buried behind walls and beneath floors. When dealing with homes that contain lead pipes, this is often not an option because the lead is dangerous and must be replaced as quickly as possible.

Some homeowners may wonder if replacing galvanized pipes in a house costs more than replacing other types of pipes.

In general, replacing galvanized pipes will cost nearly the same as replacing other types of pipes. To save money, some plumbing professionals may merely repair the visible piping.

Nonetheless, it’s typically preferable to replace the entire plumbing system at once, as outdated pipes may be more prone to leaks and other difficulties that will increase your expenses in the long run. Certain plumbing issues may harm your property if left unchecked.

Copper, cross-linked polyethylene pipe (PEX), and chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) are the three most regularly used materials for repiping homes. Each has its own set of pros and cons when it comes to repiping homes.

Signs That Your Home Needs New Pipes

The key to a successful repiping of any house is to first detect the faulty pipes earlier and replace them as soon as feasible. To accomplish this, keep an eye out for:

Discolored Water

Rusted pipes might cause discolored water. If your water has turned brown, crimson, or is otherwise discolored, it means your pipes have been rusted or moldy. If you notice this, immediately avoid drinking or swimming in the water, since it’s most likely polluted. In each of the impacted regions, we propose repiping your home.

Low Water Pressure

Broken or deformed pipes are another sign that it’s time to repipe your home. These factors might cause water pressure to fluctuate dramatically or gradually decrease. This is bothersome in the short term and implies that water is accumulating in many of your pipes, increasing the danger of corrosion or mold.

Odd Taste of Water

Any rust or mold that has formed in your pipes may make your water taste weird. Rust and mold, as well as minerals that enter the water, affect the taste.

Any rapid change in flavor is a sign that your home needs to be repiped. Drink only bottled water until a plumber can inspect your pipes.

Frequently Occurring Leaks & Clogs

The occasional leak or clog is typical, but if your pipes are constantly leaking or backing up, it’s a sign that they’re damaged. The only solution to avoid recurrent blockages and leaks is to replumb your home.

Mold Development in Water & Sewer Pipes

Even if you haven’t noticed any issues with the quality of your water or pressure, keep an eye out for mold growth around pipes. Small leaks can trigger mold development by distributing moisture in otherwise dry areas of your home without significantly affecting water pressure.

While such leaks are normally repairable with modest plumbing repairs, if they occur in many locations throughout your home, you may need a repiping job.

These and many other issues aren’t just bothersome; they endanger your health and safety. As a result, it’s vital to act fast by booking a repiping appointment with our staff. Get an examination as quickly as possible, and if your pipes are seriously damaged, replace them right away.

How Much Does Copper Pipe Repiping Cost?

When compared to the typical cost of re-plumbing a house, copper pipe is at the very top of the list. It costs multiple times per 12 inches than PEX or CPVC pipes.

While the cost per foot varies based on the price of copper at the time the pipe is bought and the technique of installation employed, a price of $2 to $4 per foot is quite typical — though it can go higher.

That’s only the material cost. However, the actual installation work might be significantly more expensive. A copper pipe repiping operation may be completed for as low as $8,000.

Depending on the size of the structure and the extent of the replacements, it can easily approach five figures (as much as $20,000 or even more).

Need a quote on repiping services in San Mateo and Burlingame? Call Caccia Plumbing.

How Much Does PEX Pipe Repiping Cost?

PEX pipe is significantly less costly than copper pipe, costing between $0.50 and $2 per foot. As a result, the typical cost of plumbing a house per square foot is cheaper than with copper pipes, ranging from a few thousand dollars to roughly $15k for a full installation.

PEX pipe installation requires a specialized instrument, but a skilled plumber can spread the expense of these tools across multiple plumbing tasks, so the average cost of re-plumbing a house with a PEX pipe shouldn’t be too high.

How Much Does CPVC Pipe Repiping Cost?

CPVC pipe is the lowest-priced pipeline material in this article on average, making it an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. CPVC pipes typically cost roughly $1 per foot, which is half the maximum cost of PEX pipes.

The CPVC pipe, unlike PEX, is a hard material that’s simple to measure and cut. It’s also available in different sizes that are appropriate for a wide range of applications, from water mains to modest in-house feeds for sinks and appliances.

The average cost of replacing CPVC water pipes in a home is a few thousand dollars (unless the job is especially large or labor-intensive).

How Much Does a Whole-House Repipe Cost?

The average cost of replacing plumbing in an older property has a rather broad range.

Depending on the extent of your repiping (for example, whether you’re replacing the entire house or just the connection between the meter and the home) and the materials used, the cost to replace your pipes might range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands.

There’s also an option of relining your existing pipes instead of replacing them. Using trenchless technology requires significantly less effort and resources than digging out old pipelines.

This is an excellent technique to extend the functional life of hard-to-reach water pipes in your house and reduce the expense of repiping.

Repiping Your Plumbing System Can Increase the Value of Your House

When you repipe your house, you’re doing more than simply correcting those pesky plumbing issues. Buyers will pay extra for renovated pipes when it’s time to sell your property.

If you think your home needs new pipes, call Caccia Plumbing today.