Whole-house repiping with PEX or copper
Repiping is the replacement of all the water supply pipes in a house, from the main shutoff to every fixture. We repipe Ventura homes with PEX or copper, usually in 1 to 3 working days, with the City of Ventura permit included.
Call (805) 429-3719Signs your home needs repiping
- Repeated pinhole leaks in copper lines, especially a second slab leak.
- Galvanized steel pipe, common in homes built before the 1960s. It rusts from the inside and narrows over time.
- Low pressure at several fixtures at once, often from corrosion and scale inside old pipe.
- Rusty or discolored water from both hot and cold taps.
- Polybutylene pipe (gray plastic), installed in some homes from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s and prone to failure.
- A remodel that opens walls anyway, when replacing old pipe costs the least.
Why Ventura homes reach repiping age
The median Ventura home was built in 1973, according to Census data, and many neighborhoods are older still. Westside and Downtown homes date back to the early 1900s, and Pierpont Bay's first houses were built in the late 1920s. A 50-year-old copper system under a slab, carrying very hard water, often starts leaking in more than one place.
PEX vs copper repiping
| Factor | PEX | Copper (Type L) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Flexible cross-linked polyethylene | Rigid metal pipe with soldered or press joints |
| Installation | Fewer fittings, fewer and smaller wall openings | More fittings and access needed |
| Cost | Lower | Higher material and labor cost |
| Hard-water scale | Smooth wall resists scale buildup | Scale builds over time |
| Outdoor use | Must be protected from sunlight | Suitable for exposed runs |
PEX is the choice for most Ventura repipes. Copper still makes sense for exposed runs and where an owner prefers metal pipe.
How a repipe works
- Plan the route through the attic, walls or crawl space, avoiding the slab entirely.
- Pull the permit. A domestic water repipe is on the City of Ventura's instant permit list.
- Protect the home with floor and furniture coverings.
- Run new lines to every fixture, the water heater and outdoor hose bibs, with new shutoff valves.
- Switch over to the new system, usually leaving water on overnight between work days where possible.
- Pressure-test and pass inspection.
- Close up access openings. Depending on the job, we patch the drywall ourselves or refer you to a trusted patch-and-paint partner. We tell you which before work starts.
How pricing works
Every job is different, so the cost depends on the type of work and what the job requires. We look at the problem first, explain your options, and confirm the price with you before any work starts.
Need a plumber in Ventura now?A licensed plumber answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Repiping questions
Can I stay in my house during a repipe?
Yes. Most families stay home. Water is off only during working hours on switch-over days.
Does a repipe include the drain lines?
No. A standard repipe replaces the water supply lines. We inspect drain and sewer pipes separately, and replace them if they need it.
Is repiping better than fixing another slab leak?
It depends on the pipe. One leak in otherwise sound copper can be spot-repaired. A second or third leak usually means the whole system is worn, and repiping costs less over time.