Published by All Systems Pros · Updated October 12, 2026
What is a Whole-Home Repipe?
A whole-home repipe replaces all existing water supply lines with new materials like PEX or copper. This comprehensive process resolves chronic leaks, low water pressure, and discolored water caused by deteriorating plumbing systems.
Unlike a spot repair that fixes a single leaking pipe, a full repipe involves mapping out and replacing the entire hot and cold water delivery system. This includes the lines running from the main water shutoff valve to every fixture in the house, such as sinks, showers, toilets, and the water heater. Older homes in areas like Pasadena and Monrovia often still have original galvanized steel pipes that corrode from the inside out. This internal corrosion restricts water flow and eventually leads to pinhole leaks or burst pipes. A repipe removes this failing infrastructure entirely, providing a reliable, long-term solution rather than endlessly patching individual leaks as they appear.
When Evaluating a Repipe Makes Sense
You should evaluate a whole-home repipe if you experience frequent pinhole leaks, a severe drop in water pressure, rusty water, or if your home still relies on aging galvanized steel plumbing.
Spot repairs make sense for isolated incidents, but when the entire system reaches the end of its lifespan, patching becomes a recurring expense. Homeowners often notice a drop in water pressure when multiple fixtures are used simultaneously, which is a strong indicator of internal pipe corrosion restricting flow. Discolored or rusty water, especially when first turning on the tap in the morning, is another clear sign of deteriorating pipes. Additionally, local water quality plays a role. Water in the region is known to be hard, and hardness varies with the source and season. Over decades, this mineral content can interact with older pipe materials, accelerating wear and buildup. If you are scheduling multiple plumbing service calls a year for leaks in different areas of the house, a full replacement is often the more practical path forward.
Primary Factors That Influence Repiping Costs
Repiping costs depend heavily on the total square footage of your home, the number of plumbing fixtures, the chosen pipe material, and how accessible your existing pipes are behind walls or under floors.
Because no two houses are built exactly the same, the scope of a repipe varies significantly from property to property. The size of the home and the number of stories directly dictate the total linear feet of new pipe required. A single-story home with one bathroom requires far less material and labor than a two-story home with three bathrooms. The number of fixtures, including sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, water heaters, and washing machines, also determines how many individual connections must be made. Each connection requires precise fitting and testing. Accessibility is another major variable; pipes located in open crawlspaces or unfinished basements are much easier to reach than those buried under concrete slabs or hidden behind custom tile work.
- Home size and layout: Larger homes and multiple stories require more linear feet of piping and more complex routing.
- Number of fixtures: Every sink, toilet, shower, and appliance connected to the water supply adds to the labor and connection points.
- Pipe material selection: Choosing between copper and PEX impacts the material costs and the installation time required.
- Accessibility: The ease of reaching existing pipes dictates how much labor is needed for removal and installation.
- Wall repairs: Cutting into drywall or plaster to route new pipes requires subsequent patching and finishing work.
The Impact of Pipe Material on Your Project
The material you choose for your new pipes is a major factor in the overall project scope. Copper and PEX are the two most common approved materials, each offering different benefits and installation requirements.
Copper has been a traditional standard in plumbing for decades. It is durable and can be suitable for exposed applications when properly designed and protected. Copper requires appropriate measuring, cutting, and joining, with approved methods that can include soldered, brazed, or mechanical press connections. This labor-intensive installation process, combined with the raw material value of copper, makes it a more resource-heavy option. PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is a flexible plastic tubing that has become increasingly popular for residential repiping. Its flexibility allows it to be routed through walls with fewer fittings and less drywall removal, often speeding up the installation process. PEX is also highly resistant to scale buildup and corrosion. The choice between these materials depends on your home layout, your specific goals, and the existing conditions of your property.
Local Permitting and Code Compliance Requirements
Whole-home repiping requires a plumbing permit and local city inspections to ensure the new system meets the 2025 California Building Standards Code and is safe for your home.
A repipe is a major alteration to your home plumbing system, and local jurisdictions require oversight to ensure the work is performed correctly. The specific permitting authority depends on your exact location. For example, Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank each operate their own distinct permit centers and development services departments. If you live in Altadena, your permits are handled through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Building and Safety office. Unpermitted plumbing work carries significant risks, including potential issues during a future home sale, insurance questions that depend on the policy and circumstances of any loss, and the possibility of having to redo the work to pass retroactive inspections. Proper permitting ensures that the pipe sizing, material choices, and installation methods comply with current safety standards.
How All Systems Pros Evaluates Your Home
We provide free estimates for whole-home repiping installations. Our team evaluates your home layout, pipe accessibility, and material preferences in person to provide a specific, transparent quote based on your actual property.
Because the factors influencing a repipe are so specific to the individual house, it is impossible to provide an accurate estimate over the phone. We approach every potential repipe with a thorough on-site evaluation. We inspect the current condition of your pipes, locate the main water shutoff, map out the fixture connections, and assess how much drywall or surface removal will be necessary to complete the job. We then discuss the differences between PEX and copper with you, helping you make an informed decision based on your home and needs. Once we have all the details, we provide a clear, detailed estimate for the installation. If you are dealing with constant leaks or poor water quality, contact All Systems Pros to schedule your free installation estimate and learn exactly what a repipe would involve for your home.
Sources and further reading
About All Systems Pros
All Systems Pros is a plumbing service company based in Monrovia, CA. The company lists Rheem ProPartner, A. O. Smith Certified Contractor, and Raypak credentials. These general guides help explain plumbing topics; equipment instructions and project requirements must be checked for the specific property.
