Repiping and Pipe Replacement in Eau Claire, WI

What is repiping?

Repiping means replacing old water pipes in part of your home or the whole house. Sometimes it is one section, like the pipes in a basement ceiling. Sometimes it is every line.

Repiping is not usually an emergency, but it often comes after one, like a burst pipe or a string of leaks.

How do I know if my pipes need replacing?

Repeated leaks, rusty water, and pressure that keeps dropping are the signs people notice most. Any one can be fixed on its own. Several together usually mean the pipes are wearing out. Look for:

• Leaks that keep happening
• Rusty, brown, or yellow water, especially first thing in the morning
• Water pressure that keeps getting worse
• Green or white crust on pipes and fittings
• Gray metal pipes with threaded joints, which may be galvanized steel
• Banging or rattling pipes

What kinds of pipe do older homes have?

Galvanized steel rusts from the inside, which narrows the pipe and lowers pressure. Older copper can wear thin and get pinhole leaks. Polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe, has a history of problems. Some very old service lines are lead. If you are not sure what you have, a plumber can tell you.

What should I do before calling about repiping?

Stop any active leak at the nearest valve or the main valve first. Then gather what a plumber will ask about: where past leaks happened, which taps run rusty, and roughly how old the home is.

1. If a pipe is leaking, close the nearest shut-off valve or the main water valve.
2. Write down your leak history. Where and when each leak happened. Photos help.
3. Note any rusty water. Which taps, and whether it is hot, cold, or both.
4. Find out how old your home is, if you can.
5. Call us to set up a visit with a local plumber who can look over your pipes.

What happens during a repiping visit?

A plumber looks at the pipes you can see, asks about past leaks and water color, and explains whether one section or more of the home needs new pipe. Nothing has to be decided on the spot. A visit usually covers:

1. A look at the pipes you can see, in the basement, under sinks, and around the water heater.
2. Questions about history, like past leaks, water color, and pressure.
3. Options. The plumber explains whether replacing one section makes sense or whether more of the home needs new pipe.
4. What the work would involve, such as access holes in walls, how long the water would be off, and patching afterward.
5. Your decision. Repiping is a bigger job, so it is fine to ask questions and take your time.

Ready to talk through your options? Call (715) 000-0000.

Can repiping stop pipes from freezing?

If your pipes run through cold areas, repiping is a good time to move them to warmer spaces or add insulation. Ask about this, especially if you have had frozen pipes in past Eau Claire winters.

Related pipe problems

• Leaking Pipe Repair in Eau Claire

  Drips under sinks, damp walls, and water stains that keep growing.

• Burst Pipe Repair in Eau Claire

  Water spraying, pooling, or dripping through a ceiling. Shut off the main valve, then call.

• Water Line Repair in Eau Claire

  Trouble with the main line between the street and your home, like low pressure or a soggy yard.

What else do people ask about repiping?

Do I need to repipe the whole house?

Not always. Sometimes only one area has worn-out pipe. A plumber can tell you what they see and what they would suggest.

Can I stay in my home during repiping?

Many people do. The water is usually off during parts of the work. Ask the provider how they plan the job.

How can I tell if I have galvanized pipes?

Galvanized steel is dull gray and a magnet will stick to it. Copper is reddish brown. Lead is dull gray, soft, and scratches to a shiny silver, and a magnet will not stick to it.

Will new pipes stop freezing?

New pipes can still freeze in a cold spot. Moving them to warmer spaces and adding insulation helps most.

Is repiping an emergency?

Usually not, unless a pipe has burst or is leaking badly. In that case, shut off the water and call. The burst pipe repair page explains what to do first.

What pipe is used for repiping?

Common choices are copper and a flexible plastic pipe called PEX. Each has trade-offs, and the local provider can explain which one suits your home.

Pipe repair across Eau Claire neighborhoods

• Pipe repair in Third Ward
• Pipe repair in Historic Randall Park
• Pipe repair in Eastside Hill
• Pipe repair in Putnam Heights
• Pipe repair in North Side Hill
• Pipe repair in Upper Westside

Thinking about new pipes?

Call and we will connect you with a local plumber in Eau Claire who can look at your pipes and explain your options.

Call (715) 000-0000