Category: Repipe

Homeowners in California should be aware the plumbing in their home has a life expectancy. Materials like copper last almost a lifetime, 50 to 100 years. Galvanized steel piping was popular up until the 1970s, but only lasts 40-50 years before it starts dezincifying.

If you notice signs you need to repipe your home, the first question you’ll probably have is “how much is it going to cost to repipe?” We’ll attempt to answer that as clearly as possible, but remember there are factors that will influence how much your home repining project will cost.

How Much Does Repiping Your Home Cost?

The average home in Sacramento costs about $5,000 to $30,000 to repipe, for a one to three bedroom house, including replacing the drywall, finish and paint.

Let’s look at the factors that determine the final price.

Cost Factors in a Home Repiping Project

1. Size and Layout of Home

The total cost of a repipe project is determined by how big the house is, the number of square feet, and the number of plumbing fixtures. Larger homes will generally cost more than smaller homes, because the amount of lineal feet of new piping increases with the square footage. Larger homes are more labor intensive as the number of openings in the drywall also increase with the square footage.

2. Type of Piping Material

The main choice for replacement pipes are copper and PEX. Copper costs more than PEX, but it also lasts longer, usually 70 to 80 years. PEX is easier to install, but it can’t be used for outdoor plumbing or areas with high amounts of chlorine in the water.

Copper

Copper is the most reliable material for piping, but it is rigid piping that requires soldering and fittings to install. This increases the labor cost. Most copper piping is manufacturer guaranteed for 50 years, it routinely lasts 70-80 years, and can last up to 100 years. Most home buyers prefer copper piping as it can outlast the rest of your home in the event of an earthquake or wildfire.

PEX

Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) piping costs less than copper piping, and it can be installed less time, because it doesn’t require fittings to navigate corners. PEX is used in 49 states, including California for over a decade.

PEX is also completely resistant to acidic water and corrosion, but it can deteriorate prematurely in areas where the chlorine levels in the water are high. PEX can also degrade quickly in sunlight and UV light, so it is not ideal for outdoor piping or areas with indoor fluorescent lighting. Water with heavy amounts of chlorine can also cause PEX piping to degrade, necessitating premature piping replacement.

3. Complexity of Plumbing System

Many homes are straightforward to repipe, but some have unique challenges. If your home contains lead pipes, these should be replaced immediately. Also, if your home has non-traditional architecture, accessing the pipes may require extra labor, though this is not common.

4. Number of Fixtures

Most 3-bedroom homes have two bathrooms, including sinks, showers, and toilets. The fixtures must be re-connected to the piping, and this takes some labor time. So long as none of the fixtures are being moved, this is a predictable cost.

5. Labor Costs

Labor is the biggest fluctuating cost when getting a repipe estimate. The repiping process is labor intensive, but these can be estimated fairly accurately if these factors are evaluated correctly.

• How many access points must be cut into the drywall.
• Does the contractor need to excavate concrete to replace water pipes under the slab, garage, or driveway?
• Plan and place new pipes into the walls, floor, and exterior.
• Soldering (aka “sweating”) pipes to seal them.
• Relocating any plumbing fixtures that need to be moved.
• Repairing drywall and repainting walls

6. Quality of Contractor

The quality and experience of the contractor matter when it comes to the plumbing in your home. The lowest price isn’t always the best. Some contractors don’t do many repipe projects, and others have extensive experience replumbing a home. Always check to see if they have a contracting license with the state.

7. Location and Local Permits

Permit costs and inspection fees for repiping projects must be considered in the estimate. Different counties may have different costs and regulations. In Sacramento, there is the seven county area (Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, and Nevada) and each of these may have different permit costs. For Stockton repipe projects, the permit fees follow the regulations of San Joaquin County.

Cost of Repiping a House in Northern California

The average home costs about $5,000 to $30,000 to repipe, for a one to three bedroom house, including finish and paint. (Wise Monkey)

Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction Services in Sacramento

If you have a home in the Sacramento area, and you need to replace aging galvanized steel pipes, defective Kitec pipes, or repair slab leaks, contact our team at Wise Monkey Repipe and Construction. We also serve Roseville, Folosm, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Yuba City, Woodland, Davis, and Stockton.

For a personalized estimate for your home, contact us and our team will get back to you with a no-obligation estimate. We are a general contractor specializing in repipe projects in the local area.

Repiping is the process of replacing all the hot and cold-water pipes in your house and replacing them with new pipes. This process is sometimes also called replumbing. Most repiping projects in residential homes is due to existing pipes reaching their end of life, as they may be deteriorating or in some cases, they are defective.  Galvanized steel pipes, which were used extensively up until the 1970s, corrode in a process called dezincification. These pipes may leak, produce rust colored water, or clog pipes with corroded metallic buildup. Some houses built in the 1990s and 2000s may have been installed with Kitec piping, which often fails, causing extensive water damage.

Many homeowners choose to repipe with copper piping, as it is durable, long-lasting, and not prone to the deterioration characteristic to galvanized pipes.

Signs That Your Home Needs Copper Repiping

What are signs your home is overdue for repiping with copper pipe? There are several clear indicators that your home plumbing system is ready for a replumbing update.

1. Significantly Lower Water Pressure

Galvanized steel pipes only last about 50 years, and when they degrade, the inner lining goes through a process called dezincification. The metallic alloy lining flakes off and clogs the pipes, which leads to lower water pressure. Abnormally low water pressure can be an indicator that your pipes need to be replaced with sturdy, reliable copper pipes.

2. Discolored Water

If your tap water has gradually become yellow or rust colored, this can be a sign your existing pipes are degrading and your water is picking up the metallic particles.

3. Leaky Pipes

If your steel pipes are springing leaks left and right, this can also be a sign they are degrading, and it may be time to repipe with copper, so there are no further issues, and you avoid high water bills and water damage.

4. You Have Kitec Pipes

Kitec pipes are a polymer piping that were installed in homes in the US and Canada from the mid-1990s to 2007. Unfortunately, they are extremely prone to failure, and when they burst, they cause severe water damage to your home. There are ways to identify whether you have Kitec installed in your home, but if you do, replacing them with copper is something you should do sooner rather than later.

5. Corrosion in Existing Pipes

If you have galvanized pipes, and they are already deteriorating and scaling, there is no way to reverse this process. The corrosion simply gets worse. Scaled and corroded pipes are a sign you should consider copper repiping, as they are not prone to corrosion.

6. Your Water Tastes Bad

If you water tastes metallic, it could be due to the dezincification of galvanized pipes, meaning the pipes are deteriorating on the inner lining, and that is being transferred to your running water. If your water tastes funny, like metal or rust, it’s time to replace your piping with reliable copper pipes.

7. Aging Pipes

Galvanzied pipes have a lifespan, and if your home was built more than fifty years ago and it still has the original pipes, this is something you might consider planning. Better safe than sorry to protect your investment and your peace of mind.

Benefits of Copper Repiping

There are many practical reasons to choose copper pipes for a repiping project.

1. Clear Rust-Free Water

One of the biggest advantages of copper over other metallic pipes is it does not corrode, meaning the water is clear, uncontaminated, and tastes better. Galvanized steel can corrode over time, and the water quality degrades as the years go by. Copper is resistant to corrosive chemicals and oxidation, meaning it is an excellent choice for indoor water piping.

2. Improved Water Pressure

Indoor plumbing and water pipes made from galvanized steel can corrode and sediment can accumulate, causing the water pressure to drop considerably. In advanced stages of degradation, you might notice the water pressure drop when you take a shower or run the dishwasher or do laundry. You might not be able to do any of these activities simultaneously, because the sediment and deteriorating metal is clogging up the pipes all throughout your house. Obstructed pipes should be replaced with copper piping to eliminate this problem.

3. Better Tasting Water

Copper is impermeable, meaning contaminants cannot enter the water piping from the outside, even in extreme temperatures. Your water stays clean and good to drink. Also, copper is resistant to bacterial growth, meaning there is no contamination coming from inside the pipes. Microbes and bacteria cannot grow within copper piping the way it can in steel or polymer piping.

4. Long Lasting Durable Pipes

Copper pipes usually have a 50 year warranty, and American made “L” copper pipes often last up to 100 years before needing to be replaced! This means they will last for a lifetime. Copper is extremely durable for hot water pipes, and will not deteriorate or fail.

5. Higher Property Values

If you plan on selling your home in the future, consider replacing galvanized steel pipes with sturdy copper piping, because many homebuyers will look for this. Galvanized pipes may also bring a lower appraisal value.

6. Fewer Maintenance Issues

Copper piping is less prone to leaks or plumbing maintenance than galvanized pipes. This piping can save you hassles in the future with maintenance.

7. Can Be Exposed to Sunlight and UV Rays

Piping made from polymers, plastics, or PVC break down from exposure to sunlight, or UV light from fluorescent lighting. Copper pipes do not suffer from UV degradation. They can be used for any indoor or outdoor piping application.

8. Environmentally Friendly

If you are concerned about eco-friendly materials, copper pipe manufacturing releases less pollutants than PVC and polymer pipe production. Copper pipes can also be recycled at their end of life.

9. Improved Quality of Life

After a repiping project, homeowners are often happy to find they can take a shower, run the dishwasher, or do laundry without a huge drop in water pressure. They may find the water quality in their home is vastly improved, and the water they drink no longer tastes metallic or rust-like.

You may think that repiping is too expensive to invest in, but financing is available for repipe projects. Please consult with a professional repiping contractor so you can get a quality repiping project done at a fair and reasonable price.

How Long Does It Take to Repipe a House?

For most homes that are three bedrooms or less, a copper repiping project may take a few days. Larger homes may take longer, but a professional repipe contractor can complete the work quickly and efficiently.

Repiping Services in the Greater Sacramento Area

When you need to repipe your home with sturdy, stable copper piping, the team at Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction is here to help you. We’ve helped scores of homeowners in the Sacramento, Roseville, and Elk Grove area with professional, efficient repiping services. Contact us today for a no-obligation estimate.

If you’re looking to repipe your home, you may have heard of options like copper piping and PEX piping. PEX is a fairly common plumbing solution. Created in the 1960s for European markets, it started being used extensively in the 1980s in the US and is still used to this day.

Today, we’ll look at seven reasons why plumbers and homeowners alike choose PEX piping for their plumbing repipe projects.

What is PEX Piping?

PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is being used in 49 of 50 states for home piping. Many homeowners and plumber choose PEX because it is cheaper than copper, it is resistant to corrosion and acidic water, freeze resistant, and flexible for many applications. PEX is also more heat conductive than copper. This piping is mostly used for indoor plumbing because it can degrade over time with exposure to sunlight or UV light.

Now that you know what PEX piping, lets look at the benefits of using PEX.

1. Faster Installations

One of the unique features of PEX piping is the ease and speed of installation. Because PEX is a flexible piping system instead of rigid metal piping, it can be placed through tight spaces and set up quickly.

Because it is not made from metal, there is no need for elbows, pipe fittings, and soldering, making installation much quicker. No soldering is required. The pipes are color coded, red for hot water, blue for cold water, which makes it simpler to track. Fewer connections and pipe fittings mean a faster installation time.

2. Longevity and Durability

PEX piping lasts about 50 years, making it a good choice for longevity. Considering 35% homeowners stay in their house for about 15 years, this makes PEX a solid choice for home resale value.

Unlike some other piping, PEX is corrosion-resistant, making it extremely durable. PEX also recovers from kinks very well, so it is less susceptible to leaks. PEX-B is a specific variation that is resistant to chlorine, which is good for neighborhoods with chlorinated water. Another advantage of PEX is it does not rust like galvanized steel or copper. Also, because PEX is made from cross-linked polyethylene, it is not prone to cracking like CVPC.

3. Freeze Resistant

PEX is known for its ability to withstand freezing temperatures without bursting. It expands without bursting in freezing conditions, unlike copper or steel. Unlike rigid metals, there is the ability to expand and contract in cold weather to prevent burst pipes. It also performs as well in high temperatures as it does in cold weather. This makes it an ideal choice for locations with cold winters.

4. Flexibility and Versatility

PEX is manufactured with uniform cross-linking, which makes it flexible, and able to bend easily around spaces that rigid metallic pipes cannot. There is no need for elbow fittings or soldering, which is very convenient. PEX is versatile for numerous types of indoor plumbing applications. Because the material itself is flexible, it is not prone to dents, which could cause punctures in copper or galvanized steel pipes. PEX also lends itself to retrofit projects where metallic pipes can be combined with PEX if needed.

5. Easy to Retrofit

In some plumbing jobs, there may be instances where only part of the piping system needs to be replaced. One large advantage of PEX is it can be added to metal piping systems where it is needed. This allows homeowners to gradually replace their entire piping system over time as needed at a lower cost.

The flexibility of PEX is perfect for retrofitting older homes. The piping can be interlaced through walls without extensive construction, allowing the pre-existing beauty of the home to stay intact.

6. Corrosion Proof

PEX piping does not corrode, which both copper and galvanized steel are prone to. When metal pipes corrode, it can contaminate the water supply. This does not happen with PEX.

7. A More Affordable, Cost Effective Solution

Some homeowners are working on a budget but still need a home repipe. For these clients, PEX is a perfect solution. PEX generally costs less than copper pipes or galvanized steel. Metal pipes also cost more because the fittings and elbows must be threaded and soldered, so PEX help save on labor costs too.

Copper often has a fluctuating price, so using PEX is a more economical choice that doesn’t sacrifice quality

8. Noise Reduction

PEX piping can help reduce noise in your plumbing system, due to the type of material. Copper and steel pipes are prone to water hammering, which is the noise made when the running water stops suddenly in metallic pipes.

Because it is made of less rigid material, PEX absorbs the sound of running water, and reduces the banging noise where the pipes run through the walls. With PEX, there are no rattling and banging sounds when you shut off water at the valve.

Need Your Sacramento Area Home Repiped?

Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction can help you repipe your Sacramento area home quickly and efficiently. We’ve done dozens of homes and we specialize in repiping. Contact us today or call (916) 304-7629 to get more information. Financing is available!