What rerouting means
Rerouting means abandoning the leaking section of pipe under the slab and running a new line to the same fixtures by another path, usually through walls, the attic or the ceiling. The old pipe is capped and left in place.
The slab is not opened along the length of the old pipe. Walls may be opened in a few places to run the new line, and then patched and painted. It is a bigger job than a spot repair, but it can be the right answer when the buried pipe is hard to reach or likely to leak again.
What repiping means
Repiping goes further. A larger part of the supply system, or the whole system, is replaced with new pipe. It is usually done in the walls and attic, not under the slab, and it removes the old lines from service.
It is a major job. It is worth asking about when a pipe is old, has leaked in several places or is made of a material that is known to wear.
When it makes sense to ask
A reroute or repipe may be worth considering in these cases.
- The pipe has leaked more than once.
- The provider found more than one leak.
- The pipe material is old or known for pinhole leaks.
- The leak is under a floor that is expensive or hard to restore.
- Access for tunneling or opening is poor.
- You plan to stay in the house for many years.
- The cost of repeated spot repairs is adding up.
How the work usually goes
A reroute starts with a plan. The provider decides where the new line will run and which fixtures it will feed. The water is shut off, walls are opened where needed and new pipe is run. Connections are made, the lines are tested under pressure and the old pipe is capped.
Drywall is patched and painted. Some providers do that themselves and some leave it to others. Ask who does what and when. The job often takes a day or several, depending on the size of the home.
Water will be off for part of the time. Ask how long and what arrangements make sense, such as using a neighbor's bathroom.
Pipe materials
New supply lines are commonly made of copper or a plastic such as cross-linked polyethylene, known as PEX. Each has advantages. Copper has a long record and is rigid. PEX is flexible and can be run with fewer joints. Local codes and the water in your area can affect what is allowed and what lasts.
Ask which material the provider proposes, why and what the warranty is. Ask whether the choice is allowed by local code.
Cost and timing
This site does not publish prices. A reroute or repipe usually costs more than a spot repair and less than the damage from repeated leaks, but the real answer depends on the home. The number of fixtures, the size of the house, the material and the repair to walls and ceilings all matter.
Ask for a written estimate that lists the scope, the material, the repair work and the timeline. If the quote is large, a second opinion is reasonable.
Questions to ask
A few questions help you compare offers.
- Why do you recommend this over a spot repair?
- How many fixtures will be on the new line?
- Where will the new pipe run, and what walls will be opened?
- What material, and what warranty?
- Is the old pipe capped or removed?
- Who patches and paints?
- Is a permit needed, and who handles the inspection?
- How long will water be off?
Repiping older homes
If your home is older, ask about the age of the pipe and whether a reroute through the attic makes sense for a single-story layout.
Living through a reroute or repipe
A reroute opens walls in a few places and a repipe can disturb more of the house. Water may be off for part of each day. Ask the provider for a plan that covers which rooms will be affected, when the water will be off and who patches and paints the walls. Move fragile items out of the work areas ahead of time.
Think about water use while the lines are being changed. You may want to fill containers for drinking and cleaning, plan showers around the work and decide what to do about laundry and dishwashing. If the work lasts several days, ask whether the provider can restore water at the end of each day.
Ask about the order of the work. A common order is to run the new lines, test them under pressure, connect the fixtures and then close the walls. Ask for the pressure test to be done before the walls are closed, so that any problem is easy to reach.
After the work, ask for the details in writing: where the new lines run, what material was used, where the old lines were capped and what the warranty covers. Keep a sketch with your house papers, so the next owner or the next plumber knows what is behind the walls.
If you plan to sell, a reroute or repipe with documents can be a selling point. Keep the permit and the inspection sign-off. Ask the provider whether the water heater connections and the shut-off valves will be replaced during the work. New valves at each fixture make later repairs easier, and the extra cost during a repipe is often small.
Questions about permits, inspections and warranty
Rerouting and repiping are bigger jobs, and many places require a permit and an inspection for them. Ask the provider whether they will pull the permit, who schedules the inspection and what happens if the inspector asks for a change. A permit is often a sign that the work will be checked by someone other than the provider.
Ask about the warranty in detail. Find out how long it lasts, whether it covers the pipe, the fittings and the labor, and what you need to do to keep it valid. Ask whether it can be transferred to a new owner. Get the terms in writing, with the provider's name, address and license number.
Think about timing too. If you plan to remodel, repave or sell soon, tell the provider. It may be sensible to do the plumbing first, so that new floors and walls are not opened later.
Compare the options on the long view, not only on the first price. A cheaper fix that leaks again in two years can cost more than a larger one that lasts. Ask the provider what lifespan they expect for each option and what the warranty says. A provider who is honest about the trade-offs is easier to trust.
Finally, ask for the plan in writing, with the scope, the material, the price and the schedule. If anything changes during the work, the change should be written down and agreed before it goes ahead. Ask the provider to note the date and the scope on the invoice, so that anyone who reads it later knows exactly which lines were replaced and which were left alone.
Call from Greenacres
If you are in Greenacres or a nearby town such as Lake Worth or Royal Palm Beach and want to talk about rerouting or repiping, call the number on this page. You will be connected with an independent provider. They set the price and do the work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rerouting and repiping?
Rerouting replaces the leaking section by running a new line around it. Repiping replaces a larger part of the supply system, often the whole house.
Is rerouting cheaper than opening the slab?
It depends. A single spot repair is often cheaper. Rerouting can make sense when there are several leaks or poor access.
Is the old pipe removed?
Usually not. It is capped and left in the slab. Ask the provider what they will do.
Do I need to move out during repiping?
Often not, but water is off for part of the time. Ask for a plan.
Which pipe material is best?
It depends on local code, the water and your budget. Ask the provider to explain the choice.
Does homeowners insurance cover repiping?
Policies differ. Ask your insurer before work starts and keep records.