Repiping a slab home in Cerritos: what to expect

Signs the house is ready for a repipe

• A second or third slab leak
• Pinhole leaks showing up on exposed copper, such as at the water heater
• Green or white crust on fittings
• Water pressure that has dropped across the whole house
• A leak on the hot side, then another a year or two later

The new pipe does not go under the slab

This is the part most people do not expect. In a repipe the old lines under the concrete are shut off and left where they are. The new lines run through the attic and down inside the walls to each fixture. Nobody jackhammers the floor.

What gets opened up

Small openings are cut in the drywall behind sinks, toilets, tubs, and the washer so the new lines can be connected. They are patched when the plumbing is done. Mickey walks the house with you first and shows you where each one will be.

Copper or PEX

Both are good when they are installed right. Copper is the traditional choice. PEX is flexible, needs fewer fittings, and usually costs less. Mickey quotes both when both fit the house and explains the tradeoffs without pushing either.

How long it takes

Most single-family homes take a few days. The water is back on each evening, so you can stay in the house. A repipe generally requires a permit and an inspection, which are handled as part of the job.

Repair, reroute, or repipe

If this is your first leak, a spot repair or a reroute of that one line may be all the house needs. If it is the third, another patch is money spent on pipe that is at the end of its life. Call and describe what has happened so far. Mickey will tell you which side of that line you are on, and the estimate is free.