A repipe replaces the water supply pipes that run through your walls, attic and crawlspace, and it is worth doing when the old pipe is failing faster than you can patch it. Whole-house repiping in Holly Springs starts with a licensed plumber looking at what you have, explaining the options and giving you the price before work starts. Dispatch is open 24/7, so you can call about an assessment whenever it suits you.
Most people reach this page after a second or third leak, brown water at the tap or a plumber who said the pipe is at the end of its life. The goal here is to help you decide if a repipe is the right move or if something smaller will do.
Signs your supply pipes are wearing out
No single sign proves a repipe is needed. A pattern of several is what points that way.
Repeated leaks in different spots
One leak is a repair. A leak every year or two in different rooms means the pipe is thin throughout, and each patch only moves the pressure to the next weak point.
Rusty or brown water that does not clear
Galvanized steel rusts from the inside. CCWSA notes that water standing in galvanized service lines or interior plumbing can dissolve iron, which shows up as discolored water after the house sits idle.
Weak flow that keeps getting worse
Mineral and rust buildup narrows old pipe, so a shower that has slowly weakened over the years may be a pipe problem and not a faucet one.
Green stains, pinholes or flaking on copper
Blue-green crust on fittings and tiny weeping holes along the pipe show corrosion working from the water side.
Pipe material known to fail
Some materials, such as polybutylene, have a history of failure. If a plumber identifies them in your walls, plan a replacement before it fails.
Repipe materials compared
Each material has strengths and limits. We recommend based on your house, not on what we prefer to install.
| Material | Strengths | Limits | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEX | Flexible, fewer joints, resists freeze splitting better than rigid pipe, quick to install | Must be protected from sunlight, can be chewed by rodents, fittings are the usual weak point | Most whole-house repipes where lines can be pulled through walls |
| Copper | Long track record, handles heat, not damaged by sunlight | Higher material cost, more joints to solder, can corrode in some water | Exposed runs, homeowners who prefer metal, matching existing copper |
| CPVC | Lower cost, does not rust, easy to cut and join | Can turn brittle with age and heat, needs careful support | Budget-conscious jobs with accessible runs |
| Keep galvanized | No replacement work | Corrodes inside and narrows over time, tends to fail without warning | Not recommended as a long-term plan |
Galvanized pipe, polybutylene and old copper
Galvanized steel was common in older homes and is the most frequent reason for repiping. It rusts from the inside, so the pipe may look fine outside while the opening shrinks. Replacing galvanized pipe is usually a full replacement because patching a section leaves the rest corroding.
Polybutylene is a gray or blue plastic pipe used in many homes for a period and later linked to failures at fittings. If a plumber confirms it in your house, a repipe replaces the lines and the fittings. Old copper is different. If it is in good condition with only a joint failing, a repair may be enough, but pinholes in several places suggest the copper is worn through.
Not sure what you have? A plumber can tell by looking at the pipe near the water heater, under sinks and at the main valve.
Call dispatch and describe what you see and what the pipes are made of. We will explain the visit and the price before any work is scheduled.
How a repipe is staged to keep your house usable
A whole-house repipe sounds like a disruption, and it is, but a good plan keeps it contained.
- 1
Walk the house and plan the route
We look at every fixture, find where the main enters, note attic and crawlspace access and decide where new lines can run with the fewest openings.
- 2
Set up and protect the house
Floors get covered, furniture is moved and the water shuts off only when we are ready to cut over.
- 3
Run new lines before cutting the old ones
In many houses the new pipe is installed alongside the old, which limits the time the water is off to the cutover.
- 4
Connect, test and restore
Each fixture is connected, the system is pressurized and checked for seepage, and we turn the water back on with you present.
- 5
Close up and walk through
We show you what changed. Drywall patching is separate, and we tell you up front what falls on the plumber and what belongs to a drywall contractor.
A partial repipe versus a whole-house repipe
You do not always need the whole house done at once. The question is whether the rest of the pipe is healthy.
Partial repipe
- Replaces one wing, floor or branch with new pipe
- Costs less up front and is less disruptive
- Makes sense when the failures are limited to one run
- Leaves the old pipe elsewhere, which may fail later
Whole-house repipe
- Replaces supply pipes throughout
- Ends the cycle of repeat leaks
- Makes sense when pipe is failing in several places
- Handles the walls once instead of in stages
Drywall, patching and what to expect inside the walls
Many repipes open small access holes in drywall, closets and ceilings, and some houses can be done mostly through the attic or crawlspace. Where walls are opened, we cut neat, square openings so they are easier to patch.
We handle the plumbing. Drywall finishing, texture and paint are normally done by a drywall or paint contractor, and we tell you before the job begins so you can line that up. It is wise to ask for photos of the openings before they are closed.
If you are not ready for a full repipe, our leak detection page explains how we locate a single failing section, and burst pipe repair covers a pipe that has already failed.
What affects the price of a repipe
We give a clear price before work starts. A repipe is a custom job, so there is no honest flat number until someone looks at the house. Homeowner insurance usually does not pay to replace pipe that is simply old, though it may cover water damage if a pipe fails suddenly. Ask your agent.
Number of bathrooms and fixtures
Every sink, toilet, tub and appliance connection needs a line.
Size and layout of the house
A single-story home with attic access is quicker than a two-story house with finished ceilings.
Material chosen
PEX, copper and CPVC differ in material cost and labor.
Access and finishes
The more tile, plaster and built-ins in the way, the more careful work it takes.
Permits and inspections
A repipe normally needs a permit and inspection, and fees and scheduling vary by jurisdiction.
Want your real number? Tell dispatch about the house and what the pipes are made of, and we will explain the visit before anyone is sent.
Before your repipe day
A little preparation makes the work smoother.
- Clear the areas around sinks, water heater, closets and attic access.
- Fill containers with drinking water and plan where family members will wash while the supply is off.
- Tell us about pets, home offices and anyone who needs water at certain times.
- Check your homeowner policy and take photos of the existing pipes and walls.
- Ask us which permit applies and who will arrange the inspection.
Repiping, permits and older homes in Holly Springs
Georgia's minimum plumbing code is based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with state amendments, and a repipe is normally permitted work. Permit rules vary, so ask the City of Holly Springs at 770-345-5536 if your address is inside the city. Homes in unincorporated areas near Hickory Flat go through the Cherokee County Development Service Center at 770-721-7810.
CCWSA says local building standards have required lead-free plumbing materials since 1992, and that homes built before then in Cherokee County could have some lead plumbing components such as fixtures or solder. If your home is older, a repipe is a good time to replace those parts. To check your water now, ask CCWSA at 770-479-1813 or a certified testing lab how to collect a sample.
Water-line problems outside the house are a separate job. See water line repair, and note that we also serve Canton. If a water heater is on the same job, we can check its connections too.
Repiping questions
How do I know if my house needs a repipe?
Look for a pattern. Leaks in several places, rusty water that persists, weak pressure at many fixtures and a pipe material with a known failure history all point toward a repipe. A plumber can inspect the pipes and tell you whether repair is enough.
How long will my water be off during a repipe?
It depends on the house, but we plan the work so the water is off only during the cutover instead of the whole job. We explain the schedule before we begin.
Which is better, PEX or copper?
Neither wins in every house. PEX is faster to install and flexible in tight walls. Copper handles heat and sunlight and has a longer track record. We talk through your layout and budget.
Will repiping damage my walls?
Some openings are normal, but we plan the route to keep them small and tidy. Drywall patching and paint are usually separate work.
Do I need a permit to repipe my house?
Permit rules vary, so ask the City of Holly Springs at 770-345-5536, or the Cherokee County Development Service Center at 770-721-7810 for unincorporated addresses. We tell you which applies before work begins.
My home was built before 1992. Is there lead in my pipes?
CCWSA says homes built before 1992 in Cherokee County could have some lead plumbing components, such as fixtures or solder. A water test tells you what reaches your tap, and a repipe is a good time to replace old fittings.