Signs your supply pipes are near the end
One leak does not mean a repipe. A pattern of leaks does.
- A second or third pinhole leak in copper within a short span, especially in different rooms.
- Brown or orange water that runs for more than a few seconds after a faucet opens.
- Pressure that is fine at the meter but weak at the showers and sinks.
- Green or white crust on pipe joints, or stains spreading on ceilings below a bathroom.
- Gray, blue or black plastic pipe with PB2110 stamped on it.
- Water bills that creep up with no change in how you use water.
Copper, PEX or CPVC: choosing the new pipe
Each material has a place. The right pick depends on your house, your budget and how long you plan to stay.
| Material | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Type L) | Decades of service, handles heat, does not break down in sunlight | Higher parts cost, soldered joints take skilled labor, can pit in aggressive water |
| PEX (A, B or C) | Flexible, fewer fittings, quick to run through walls, resists pinholes | Degrades in sunlight, so it must stay covered, and some fittings restrict flow |
| CPVC | Lower cost, no corrosion, simple solvent joints | Becomes brittle with age and heat, cracks at fittings |
Galvanized steel pipe and why it chokes from the inside
Galvanized pipe is steel coated with zinc. Over time the coating wears, rust forms on the inside wall, and scale narrows a 3/4 inch pipe until a shower dribbles. The pipe can look fine outside while its working bore has shrunk to the size of a straw.
Brown water in the morning that clears after a minute is a common sign. A pipe can also snap at a threaded joint when a plumber tries to work on it, since old steel gets brittle. If a repair attempt keeps exposing more rusted pipe, replacing the whole run is the more honest answer.
Polybutylene: the gray pipe with a known history
Polybutylene is a gray, blue or black plastic pipe that was installed in homes through the 1970s and 1980s. Failures led to a national class action, and a 1995 settlement fund of about $950 million was approved. The pipe tends to fail at its crimp fittings, often without warning.
Check the places where pipe is easy to see: under sinks, at the water heater, and at the main shutoff. If you see PB2110 stamped along the plastic, plan a repipe rather than waiting for a failure. Some insurers raise questions about this pipe, so ask your carrier directly.
How a whole-house repipe is done
The crew shuts off the water, maps the new routes, and cuts small access holes in drywall, usually at fixtures, in closets and behind trim. New pipe is run first, tied into each fixture, then tested under pressure before the old pipe is abandoned or removed.
In a house on a concrete slab, new lines are commonly run through the attic and down the walls rather than under the floor. That avoids breaking the slab. A typical house is done in a few days, and you should ask how the crew will handle water access at the end of each day.
Drywall, painting and who does what
Plumbers open the walls and close them with patches. Texture matching and paint are a separate trade. Ask in advance whether the quote includes patching and primer or only the plumbing, so nobody is surprised when the crew leaves.
Permits and inspections before the walls close
Altamonte Springs handles plumbing permits through its Building and Fire Safety office, reachable on (407) 571-8446. We could not confirm from the city's pages whether a repipe needs one, so ask them before work starts. Licensed contractors apply through the city's online self service portal.
Rules and fees differ by city. In Casselberry, the Building Division lists one $200 fee for HVAC, electric, plumbing and gas permits, and says residential permits can take 5 to 7 business days. Build that wait into your schedule before you tear into any walls.
What a repipe costs and why quotes differ
A repipe is priced by the house, not by the foot. These factors move the number the most.
| Scope | Typical ballpark | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| One section or bathroom group | $1,500 to $4,500 | Access and length |
| Small one-bath home | $4,000 to $8,000 | Material and wall repair |
| Typical 2 to 3 bath house | $7,000 to $15,000 | Floors, attic access and finishes |
- Size and bathroomsMore fixtures mean more pipe, more tie-ins and more testing.
- MaterialPEX usually costs less than copper in materials and labor. Copper costs more but suits exposed runs.
- AccessA one-story attic route is faster than a two-story house with closed ceilings.
- Wall repairPatching, texture and paint can be included or sold separately.
Those are typical ballparks and they change with the house. The price is stated clearly before any work starts, in writing, with the material and the patching scope spelled out.
Altamonte Springs water, condos and rental buildings
The city treats its groundwater with orthophosphate for corrosion control. That helps protect pipe, but it cannot repair a pipe that already has pinholes. If you are unsure what is happening inside a copper line, ask the technician to cut out a short sample and look at the inside wall.
Altamonte Springs has 97 multifamily communities, and about 10,382 of its 21,196 housing units are renter-occupied per the 2017 to 2021 Census data. If you live in a condo or townhome, check with the association or landlord early. They may control the shutoffs, the risers and the work hours.
What repiping does not cover
A repipe replaces the lines inside the building. The pipe from the meter to the house is separate work, and water line repair covers that. Sewer and drain pipes are a different system and are not replaced during a supply repipe.
Our 24/7 line still answers if a pipe bursts before your project date. Shut off the main valve, open the lowest faucet to drain the line, and call (407) 964-8940. If a leak is near electrical equipment, stay clear and call 911.
Repiping questions
One isolated leak in sound pipe is a repair. Repeated pinholes in different rooms, rusty water, or a pipe known to fail, such as polybutylene, point to a repipe. A leak check often settles the question before you spend the larger sum.
Plan on partial access during the work and a short full shutoff when the new lines tie in. Ask the crew for a day-by-day plan so you know when the kitchen and bathrooms will be usable.
PEX sold for potable plumbing carries a stamp showing it meets the standards for drinking water use. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and ask your technician which type and fittings they use.
Usually not. In slab houses, new lines are commonly run through the attic and walls. Slab work is a last resort and only happens when a line cannot be rerouted.
Call the city's building office on (407) 571-8446 and ask. We could not confirm the rule from the city's pages, so we would rather send you to the source than guess.
Yes, when the rest of the pipe is in good shape. A partial repipe of one bathroom group or one wing costs less, but it leaves old pipe elsewhere. The technician will tell you if that trade-off makes sense.