Source: https://oncallsc.com/articles/whole-house-repipe-guide # Need to Repipe a House? Here’s What to Know A practical guide to deciding whether supply pipes need targeted repair or whole-house replacement, comparing PEX and copper, and defining a repipe scope. Fact checked September 26, 2026April 30, 2025 ![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2xlZ2FjeS1ibG9nLzhiYmU0NjAxN2NjYi1yZXBpcGUtaG9tZS5qcGc/8bbe46017ccb-repipe-home.jpg?w=960&fm=webp&s=a2792938f1aacfeeb9f5befbea5632cc) A whole-house repipe is a big project, and not every plumbing problem calls for one. But if your home has polybutylene or aging galvanized pipe — or you're chasing leak after leak — it may be time to look at the whole system. Here's how our licensed plumbers help Midlands homeowners decide. ## What a repipe replaces A repipe replaces the hot and cold water supply lines that feed your faucets, showers and appliances. It usually doesn't include drain, waste and vent pipes — those are a separate system. So if your problem is recurring clogs or backups, that's a [drain](https://oncallsc.com/plumbers-columbia-sc/drain-cleaning.md) or [sewer line](https://oncallsc.com/plumbers-columbia-sc/sewer-line-maintenance-repair.md) issue, not a reason to repipe. ## Signs it's worth a repipe evaluation - Leaks in different parts of the house over time - Polybutylene (usually gray plastic) or galvanized steel supply pipe - Low water pressure at many fixtures, after ruling out the main valve, pressure regulator and individual fixtures - Freeze damage in several runs - A remodel that opens up walls anyway Rusty-looking water on its own isn't proof your pipes are failing — compare the hot and cold taps and check with your water provider about main work. And there's no magic age cutoff; the pipe material and its condition matter more than the year the house was built. If you're seeing water where it shouldn't be, start with [leak detection](https://oncallsc.com/plumbers-columbia-sc/leak-detection.md). ## Polybutylene and galvanized pipe These are the two materials we see most often behind whole-house repipes. Polybutylene is a plastic supply pipe installed in many homes before the mid-1990s, and it has a well-known history of fitting and pipe failures. Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside over decades, building up deposits that restrict flow. They're different problems, so the first step is having a plumber identify exactly what's in your walls. ## PEX or copper? Both work well when properly installed. - **PEX** is flexible, needs fewer fittings and usually means smaller wall openings and a lower cost. It handles freezing better than rigid pipe, but it isn't freeze-proof and still needs protection from cold, sunlight and heat sources. - **Copper** is rigid, durable and noncombustible, but it takes more fittings and more access to install, and it costs more. Your plumber will recommend a material and layout based on your home, local code and your budget. ## How a repipe works 1. **Survey:** we map your pipes, check pressure and confirm what's actually failing. 2. **Proposal:** one firm price that spells out the lines and fixtures included, material, valves, permits, wall openings, testing and what's not included. 3. **Installation:** we protect your home, make planned openings and install the new lines, keeping water shutoffs as short as practical. 4. **Testing and inspection:** the system is flushed, pressure-tested and inspected as required. 5. **Restoration:** your quote will say exactly who patches drywall, paints and handles finishes. How long it takes depends on your home's size, layout and access. You'll get a realistic timeline with your quote. ## What a repipe can — and can't — fix New supply lines fix leaks and flow problems caused by the old pipe. They won't raise pressure if the real limit is the city supply, your pressure regulator or a fixture, and they won't change water quality that starts outside your home. A good plumber will tell you which is which before you commit. Wondering if your home needs a repipe? On Call's master and journeyman plumbers have served Columbia and the Midlands since 2011. We'll identify your pipe, show you what we find and give you honest options — from a targeted repair to a whole-house repipe — with a firm price for each. For a full repipe, your plumber can walk you through [financing](https://oncallsc.com/financing.md) in person. Call (803) 781-4357 or [request service online](https://oncallsc.com/contact-us.md). ## Sources & updates - [USGS — Hardness of Water ](https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water) - [Plastic Pipe Institute — TR-52: PEX in Freeze Applications ](https://plasticpipe.org/TR-52) - [EPA — Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals ](https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/secondary-drinking-water-standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals)