What repiping is and when it makes sense
Repiping is the replacement of a home's supply plumbing, the pipes that carry pressurized water to fixtures, with new pipe and fittings. It does not replace the drain lines that carry wastewater away.
It is worth considering when leaks recur, when water looks rusty, when pressure is low at several fixtures, or when the home has a pipe material known to fail. Patching a failing system costs less per visit but can add up fast.
Signs a home is due for repiping
One sign is a reason to look closer. Several together make a case:
- Repeated leaks in different spots, especially pinhole leaks in copper.
- Rusty or discolored water, particularly after the water has sat unused.
- Low pressure at several fixtures that did not improve with fixture repairs.
- A gray plastic pipe called polybutylene, used in many homes from the late 1970s into the mid-1990s.
- Galvanized steel pipe in an older home.
- A water bill creeping up with no obvious cause.
A plumber can check pipe material at the water heater, under sinks and in the garage, and a pressure test tells you how the system holds up.
Pipe materials compared
The right material depends on the house, the budget and local code.
| Material | Strengths | Cautions |
|---|---|---|
| PEX | Flexible, fewer fittings, resists corrosion | Needs protection from sunlight and certain chemicals |
| Copper | Long track record, durable, works for hot and cold | Can pit and corrode in some water, higher material cost |
| CPVC | Does not corrode, lower cost than copper | Becomes brittle with age and heat in some installs |
A plumber chooses a material that meets the Florida Building Code and the manufacturer's instructions. Ask which they recommend and why.
What the work looks like
Repiping takes days and not weeks for a typical house. A crew shuts off the water, cuts small access holes in drywall, pulls out the old pipe, runs new lines to every fixture and connects the main. Water is off for part of each day, so plan for showers and dishes elsewhere.
Most repiping can be done with limited demolition. PEX bends around corners, so fewer holes are needed. The plumber should patch the access holes, and painting is usually yours or a separate contractor's job. Ask about patching and finishing before the work starts.
What Toho Water Authority's report says about pipe-related metals
Pipe material interacts with water chemistry, so utilities test samples from older homes for lead and copper.
In the St. Cloud system, the 90th percentile copper result was 0.216 parts per million against an action level of 1.3, and the 90th percentile lead result was 1.8 parts per billion against an action level of 15. No sites exceeded the action levels in samples collected from January to December 2024.
Those results describe the utility's sampled homes, not yours. If your house has old plumbing and you want your own answer, ask Toho about testing or use a certified lab.
Permits and Florida rules
Osceola County's permit page lists re-piping among the plumbing work that requires a permit. A permit means an inspection of the finished work, which protects you and helps at resale.
Plumbing is a regulated trade in Florida. Hire a licensed plumber, check the license at myfloridalicense.com, and ask to see the permit on the job.
What decides the price of a repipe
A whole-house price depends on the house, so we quote after an inspection:
- House size. Square footage, the number of bathrooms and the number of fixtures set the pipe length.
- Access. Slab or attic runs, finished walls and tight spaces change the labor.
- Material. PEX, copper and CPVC differ in material cost.
- Restoration. Patching drywall, flooring and paint afterward.
- Permit. A permit and inspection are part of the quote.
Insurers may not cover repiping as a preventive step, though some cover damage from a sudden failure. To price a repipe, call (321) 463-9969.
Pipe standards and permits
Modern pipe is made to ASTM standards, including ASTM F876 and F877 for PEX, and installed under the Florida Building Code, Plumbing. Osceola County's permit page lists re-piping as permit-required, so expect an inspection.
Where repiping fits among other plumbing work
If a leak is under the slab, a reroute through the attic may be a partial repipe, covered in slab leak repair. If you need a single failed section fixed first, see burst pipe repair. We work across Harmony, Kissimmee and the Saint Cloud ZIP codes 34769, 34771, 34772 and 34773.
Questions we hear from Saint Cloud callers
How do I know if I have polybutylene pipe?
It is usually gray, though blue and black versions exist, and it is often stamped PB. Check under sinks and near the water heater. A plumber can confirm it quickly.
How long does a repipe take?
A typical house takes a few days, depending on size, access and the number of fixtures. The plumber gives an estimate after inspecting the home.
Is PEX as good as copper?
Both have long track records. PEX resists corrosion and uses fewer fittings. Copper handles heat and sunlight well. The plumber recommends one based on your house and code.
Does repiping need a permit in Osceola County?
Osceola County's permit page lists re-piping as work that requires a permit. Ask the building department that covers your address for the process.
Do you offer emergency repiping service?
Repiping is planned work, but a failed pipe is an emergency and the 24/7 line answers day and night. Emergency repairs can stop the water now, and a repipe can follow.