How long does it take to repipe a house?

A typical whole-house repipe with PEX takes 2 to 3 days. A copper repipe takes 4 to 7 days. The timeline depends on the size of the house, the number of fixtures, and the accessibility of existing plumbing runs. Water is restored by the end of the project.

Is PEX as good as copper for repiping?

For most Lancaster County homes, PEX is the better choice because it resists corrosion from hard water, tolerates freezing better than copper, installs faster, and costs 30 to 50 percent less. Copper has a longer proven track record but is more expensive and more vulnerable to scale buildup in hard water areas.

How do I know if my house has polybutylene pipes?

Polybutylene pipes are gray, flexible plastic pipes typically found in homes built between the late 1970s and mid-1990s. Check the pipes near your water heater, under sinks, or at the main shutoff. If you see gray flexible pipes with crimp ring fittings, they are likely polybutylene and should be evaluated for replacement.

Will repiping damage my walls and ceilings?

A repipe requires access openings in walls and ceilings to route new pipes. An experienced plumber plans the routing to minimize the number and size of these openings. After the repipe, a drywall contractor patches and finishes the openings, typically adding $500 to $2,000 to the total project cost.

Does repiping increase home value?

Yes. Replacing outdated galvanized steel or polybutylene pipes with modern PEX or copper improves water quality, water pressure, and plumbing reliability. It removes a common red flag from home inspections and can make the home easier to sell and insure.

Repiping an Old House: Costs | Lititz Hometown Plumbing

Name: Lititz Hometown Plumbing
Address: 6 W 28th Division Hwy, Lititz, PA, 17543, US
Telephone: (831) 290-4327
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

When Repiping Becomes Necessary

Many older homes in Lancaster, Carlisle, and throughout central Pennsylvania were built with galvanized steel water supply pipes. These pipes have a useful life of about 40 to 60 years. As they age, they corrode from the inside out, gradually restricting water flow, discoloring the water, and eventually developing pinhole leaks. If your home was built before 1970 and still has its original plumbing, you are likely dealing with or approaching these problems.

Homes built between the late 1970s and mid-1990s may have polybutylene (poly-B) pipes, a gray plastic material that was widely used because of its low cost and ease of installation. Polybutylene has since been shown to deteriorate when exposed to chlorine and other oxidants in treated water, becoming brittle and prone to sudden failure. Most major insurers consider polybutylene a known defect, and some will not write policies on homes with these pipes.

Signs You Need a Repipe

- **Rusty or brown water** from hot and cold taps, especially after the water has been off for several hours - **Low water pressure** throughout the house that has worsened gradually over years - **Pinhole leaks** appearing in different locations, indicating system-wide corrosion - **Visible pipe corrosion** -- green staining on copper, orange or brown buildup on galvanized steel - **Lead solder joints** on copper pipes installed before 1986, when lead solder was banned for potable water use

How Much Does Repiping Cost?

The cost of repiping a home in Lancaster County ranges from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size of the house, the number of fixtures, the pipe material chosen, the number of stories, and the accessibility of the plumbing runs.

Cost by Home Size

- **Small home (1 bathroom, 800 to 1,200 sq ft):** $4,500 to $7,000 - **Medium home (2 bathrooms, 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft):** $6,000 to $10,000 - **Large home (3+ bathrooms, 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft):** $8,000 to $15,000

Cost by Material

- **PEX tubing:** $4,500 to $10,000 for most homes. PEX is flexible, resists scale buildup, tolerates freezing better than copper, and installs faster because it can be routed in long runs with fewer fittings. - **Copper pipe:** $6,000 to $15,000 for most homes. Copper costs more for both material and labor. It is rigid, requires soldered joints, and takes longer to install. However, copper has a proven track record exceeding 70 years and adds to resale value.

Copper vs. PEX: The Honest Comparison

PEX Advantages

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has become the dominant material for residential repiping because it offers genuine practical advantages:

- **Freeze resistance** -- PEX can expand up to three times its diameter without bursting, making it far more resilient during Lancaster County's freeze-thaw cycles. - **Corrosion resistance** -- PEX does not corrode, pit, or develop scale the way metal pipes do. This is a significant advantage in areas with hard water. - **Flexible routing** -- PEX can bend around obstacles, requiring fewer fittings and joints. Fewer joints mean fewer potential leak points. - **Faster installation** -- A full-house repipe with PEX typically takes 2 to 3 days compared to 4 to 7 days with copper. - **Lower cost** -- Material and labor costs for PEX are roughly 30 to 50 percent lower than copper.

Copper Advantages

- **Proven longevity** -- Copper pipes regularly last 50 to 70 years or more. PEX has been in widespread use in the US for about 25 years, so its long-term performance is still being evaluated. - **Resale perception** -- Some homebuyers and inspectors view copper as a premium material. In historic homes, copper can be a selling point. - **No chemical leaching concerns** -- Early PEX formulations had concerns about chemical taste and odor. Modern PEX has largely resolved these issues, but copper has no such history.

Our Recommendation

For most Lancaster County homes, PEX is the better choice for repiping. Its freeze resistance, corrosion resistance, and lower cost make it practical and reliable. We use PEX-A tubing with expansion fittings, which provide the most reliable connections and the largest flow diameter at fittings.

What to Expect During a Repipe

A whole-house repipe is a significant project, but experienced plumbers minimize the disruption:

**Day 1:** We protect floors and furnishings, cut access openings in walls and ceilings as needed, and begin removing old pipe and routing new supply lines. Water is typically shut off for portions of the day.

**Day 2 to 3:** Complete pipe installation, connect all fixtures, test the system under pressure, and check every joint for leaks. Water is restored by the end of the project.

**After completion:** A drywall contractor patches and finishes the access openings. We can coordinate this work or you can hire your own contractor. Patching and painting typically adds $500 to $2,000 depending on the number and size of openings.

Protect Your Investment

After repiping, protect your new pipes from Lancaster County's hard water. A water softener prevents scale buildup that can reduce water flow and damage fixtures, faucets, and appliances. With new pipes and treated water, your plumbing system should serve you reliably for decades.

For a repiping consultation and estimate, call Lititz Hometown Plumbing at (831) 290-4327. We serve homes throughout Lancaster, Carlisle, and the surrounding communities.

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