Whole-house repipe in Lee & Collier County
When the pipes in your home are wearing out, patching one leak at a time only shifts the failure somewhere else. A repipe replaces the water supply lines throughout the house so you get new pipe, steady pressure and clean water, and you stop worrying about the next pinhole leak.
- Full-house repipe: new hot and cold supply lines to every fixture, from the main to the faucets.
- Partial repipe: replacing one problem area, such as a wing of the house or one bathroom group.
- Galvanized pipe replacement: getting rid of rusty, restricted steel pipe in older homes.
- Polybutylene replacement: replacing the gray plastic pipe once used in homes built in the 1970s through mid-1990s.
- Copper pipe replacement: when pinhole leaks keep appearing in aging copper.
- Fixture shutoffs and connections: new valves and supply lines while the walls are open.
We're a Florida state-certified plumbing contractor (license CFC1429748), a second-generation family business. Owner Mike leads every job, and we plan it around your household.
Signs it's time to repipe your home
One leak does not mean you need a repipe. A pattern does. These are the signs we look for.
- Repeated leaksFixing one leak, then another appears a few months later.
- Low water pressureNarrowed or corroded pipe restricts flow throughout the house.
- Rusty or brown waterCorroding steel pipe sheds rust into your water.
- Discolored or metallic-tasting waterCan indicate aging pipe.
- Pinhole leaks in copperTiny leaks that spray water and leave green or white buildup.
- Visible corrosionFlaking, rust or buildup at joints and valves.
- Galvanized or polybutylene pipeKnown to fail with age, regardless of how they look.
- Water stains in ceilings or wallsOften the first sign of a leak inside the wall.
Ask for a repipe estimate. It is free, with no pressure.
Which pipes are failing in Southwest Florida homes
Different decades used different materials, and each one fails in its own way. Knowing what you have helps you decide.
Galvanized steel. Used in many homes built before the 1960s and 70s. Galvanized pipe rusts from the inside, narrowing until little water gets through and releasing rust into the water. Pressure drops gradually, so owners often don't notice until it is severe.
Polybutylene. A gray or blue flexible plastic installed widely from the late 1970s until the mid-1990s. It was the subject of class-action lawsuits over failures, and it can become brittle and fail at fittings, sometimes without warning. Many insurers ask questions about it, so check with your carrier. If your home has it, a repipe is worth a serious look.
Copper. Long lasting, but not immune. Water chemistry, high pressure and age can cause pinhole leaks in copper, especially in thinner-walled pipe. When several pinholes appear in a short time, the pipe is telling you it is nearing the end.
CPVC and PEX. Newer materials. They are the common choices for replacement, and we cover the difference below.
Not sure what is in your walls? We can identify the pipe during a visit. A quick look at the water heater connections and under sinks often tells us.
PEX vs. CPVC for a repipe
Both materials are widely used in modern repipes and both are approved by plumbing codes in Florida when installed correctly. Here is the general comparison.
| PEX | CPVC | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Flexible, bends around corners with fewer fittings | Rigid, uses more fittings |
| Installation | Often faster to run through walls | Glued joints, more cuts and connections |
| Freeze and expansion | Tolerates expansion better | Can crack if stressed |
| Sunlight | Must be kept out of direct sun | Better in exposed areas, though also best protected |
| Fittings | Fewer joints inside walls | More joints, each a possible failure point |
| Good fit for | Most whole-house repipes | Certain layouts and local preferences |
*This is a general comparison. The best choice depends on your home's layout, water quality and local code.
We recommend the material that suits your home and explain why, with no pressure toward one product. Ask us which we'd choose for your house and why.
What a repipe day looks like
Repiping sounds like a big disruption, and it is a real project. It is also one we plan around you. Here's how it typically goes.
- Free walk-through and estimate. We look at your pipes, fixtures and layout, identify the material and give you an upfront price.
- We plan access. We explain wall access and patching before we start. Most repipes run lines through attics, crawl spaces and small, strategically placed openings, not whole walls.
- Water shutoff window. We plan the shutoff so your household knows when water will be out and for how long.
- New lines go in. We run new supply lines to every fixture, replace shutoff valves and connect to the water heater and main.
- We pressure test. New lines are tested for leaks before anything is closed up.
- We restore access points. We explain what we patch and what a drywall or paint finisher would handle. Cleanup and a walk-through come last.
- Covered for a year. Our 1-year personal guarantee covers parts and service.
We'll walk through your home and explain wall access before we start.
Repipe or repair? How we advise you
A repipe is a bigger decision than a repair, and we don't suggest one lightly. We give you honest advice with no pressure and no hard sell.
- Repair when the leak is isolated, the pipe is otherwise sound and the material is not a known problem.
- Consider a partial repipe when one section has failed but the rest of the house is newer or in good shape.
- Repipe when leaks keep returning, pressure is poor, water is discolored or your home has galvanized or polybutylene pipe.
- Think about timing. If you plan a remodel, repiping while walls are open saves labor. See remodel plumbing.
If a leak is the reason you called, our leak detection service finds the leak first, so you know whether it is a one-off or part of a pattern. We also give free estimates on repipes, and a second opinion on a quote from another company is welcome.
Benefits of repiping your home
- Fewer leaks. New pipe and fewer joints reduce the risk of water damage.
- Better water pressure. Clean, full-diameter pipe lets water flow the way it was meant to.
- Clearer water. You no longer get rust and sediment from corroded pipe.
- Peace of mind. You are not waiting for the next failure.
- Insurance conversations. If your carrier has asked about old polybutylene or galvanized pipe, ask them what they require. New plumbing can help.
- A better home to sell. Buyers and inspectors look closely at old supply pipe.
Your water heater and fixtures benefit too, since clean lines mean less sediment reaching them. See water heaters and water filtration.
Repipe service near you
We repipe homes in every city in Lee and Collier County, including:
Repipe FAQ
How do I know if my house needs a repipe?
A repipe is worth considering if you have repeated leaks, low water pressure throughout the house, rusty or discolored water, pinhole leaks in copper or galvanized or polybutylene pipe. We can identify what is in your walls and give you an honest recommendation.
How long does a whole-house repipe take?
The time depends on the size and layout of the home and the number of fixtures. We give you a schedule when we give you the upfront price, including when the water will be off, so your household can plan.
Will you have to open all my walls?
Usually not. We explain wall access and patching before we start, and we run lines through attics, crawl spaces and carefully placed openings where we can to limit the damage to your walls.
Is polybutylene pipe really a problem?
Polybutylene was widely used from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s and has a record of failures, especially at fittings. Many insurers ask about it. If your home has it, a repipe is worth a serious look.
PEX or CPVC, which is better?
Both are approved for repiping and both work well when installed correctly. PEX is flexible and uses fewer fittings, while CPVC is rigid. We recommend the material that suits your home and explain why.
How much does a repipe cost?
The cost depends on the size of the home, the number of fixtures and the access to the pipes. We give free estimates and agree on an upfront price before work begins.
Can I stay in my home during a repipe?
Many families do, with a plan for the hours when the water is off. We discuss the schedule and any arrangements that would make it easier before we start.