Whole house repipe in Stuart and Martin County
Repeat leaks or old copper under the slab in Stuart, FL? Learn how a whole house repipe works and get matched with a licensed plumbing contractor.
A repipe replaces the water supply lines in your house, not just the leaking section. It is a bigger job than a spot repair, and it is often the better answer when a house keeps leaking. Think of it as stopping the cycle of fixing one pipe and then another.
When a repipe makes sense
- You have had two or more leaks in the same system
- The home is older and still has its original copper lines under the slab
- A plumber sees thin or pitted pipe when making a repair
- You are seeing low water pressure or discolored water from corroded pipe
- You are planning a remodel and want the lines done while walls are open
How it is done on a slab home
Most repipes in slab homes abandon the old lines under the floor and run new lines through the attic and walls to each fixture. That is why this job is sometimes called a reroute of the whole house. The plumber opens small sections of drywall, runs the new pipe, connects the fixtures and patches the openings. The old pipes stay in the slab, capped or disconnected. This avoids tearing up the floor.
Pipe materials
PEX is a flexible plastic pipe. It is common in repipes because it is quick to install in tight spaces and does not corrode. Copper is the traditional choice, lasts a long time when the water chemistry is right, and costs more. Other materials exist as well. Ask what the contractor uses, why, and what the warranty is for the material and the labor. Local building rules also affect which materials are allowed.
What to expect
A typical repipe takes a few days for a house, depending on size, and the water is off for part of each day. There will be drywall patches that need painting. Ask whether painting is included. A permit is usually required, and an inspector may check the work. A licensed plumbing contractor handles that process.
Insurance and licensing
Plumbing in Florida must be done by a licensed plumbing contractor, whose license you can look up on the DBPR website. Insurance generally treats a repipe as maintenance, not a covered loss, but policies differ and some may help with damage from a leak. Check your policy and ask your insurer. We cannot promise any coverage.
What it costs
A whole house repipe typically costs several thousand dollars at the low end and can pass ten thousand dollars or more for a larger home, depending on the size, the number of fixtures, the material and how much wall repair is needed. Prices vary, so get at least two written quotes that list the same scope.
Compare with slab leak repair to see whether a repair or a repipe fits your situation. If you are not sure where the leak is, begin with slab leak detection.
Common questions
Is a repipe better than repairing one slab leak?
Not always. One leak in a pipe that is otherwise in good shape is often fine to repair. A repipe is worth a look when leaks keep coming back or the pipe is clearly worn out.
Does a repipe mean tearing up my floors?
Usually not. Most slab home repipes run new lines through the attic and walls, which means some drywall patches instead of floor demolition.
Related services
We refer homeowners in Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno, Hobe Sound, Sewall's Point, and nearby communities.