When repiping makes more sense than repairing
Most plumbing repairs fix one spot. Repiping replaces the whole supply system, the lines that carry water to every faucet, toilet and appliance. It makes sense when pipes fail in several places, when rusty or discolored water comes from every tap or when low pressure comes from corrosion inside the pipe rather than at the street.
A third pinhole leak in a year, a leak behind a wall that was repaired last spring or brown water after the tap runs a minute are all signs the system is wearing out as a whole. Replacing it is a bigger job, but one that ends the repair calls.
Repeated pinhole leaks
Copper that pits from the inside rarely does so in one place. When one pinhole appears, others tend to follow.
Discolored water
Rust-colored water means galvanized steel pipe is corroding from the inside. It restricts flow and eventually leaks.
Low pressure at every fixture
Mineral buildup and corrosion narrow the pipe. If pressure is low everywhere, the cause is often inside the pipe.
Pipes of a known troubled type
Polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe used in some homes from the late seventies to the mid-nineties, has a history of failures and is a common reason to repipe.
Choosing PEX or copper
| Factor | PEX | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Flexible, fewer joints, faster in finished walls | Rigid, soldered joints, more labor. |
| Cost | Usually lower in materials and labor | Usually higher. |
| Corrosion | Does not pit or scale | Can develop pinholes from the inside. |
| Heat and sunlight | Not for outdoor or exposed use | Handles heat and exposure. |
| Freeze tolerance | Expands more before bursting | Cracks sooner. |
| Home resale | Widely accepted, standard in new construction | Traditional, valued by some buyers. |
Both are approved for potable water under California code. The choice depends on the house, your budget and preferences. We explain both, quote each when it makes sense and tell you which one we would pick for your layout and why. If a single leaking section is your concern and not the whole system, our leak detection and burst pipe repair pages cover that.
Water conditions in Saratoga that affect pipe life
San Jose Water Company supplies most Saratoga homes, drawing on a mix of treated surface water and groundwater. Its groundwater reads roughly three times harder than Valley Water imported supply. Hard water leaves scale inside metal pipes, narrowing them and speeding pitting at joints. Houses on groundwater-heavy streets can see their copper age faster than houses on softer supply.
Many Saratoga homes date from the 1950s through the 1980s. Those decades used copper, galvanized steel and in some homes polybutylene. A home from the late seventies or eighties with original gray plastic pipe or aging copper is a typical repipe candidate. A pipe inspection tells you which material you have.
How a repipe goes
Inspect and plan
We check your pipe material, water pressure, shutoffs and access points, then map where new lines will run.
Quote and permit
You get a clear price and a written scope. A permit is typically required, and we handle it with the City of Saratoga building division.
Replace the lines
New pipe is run through attics, crawlspaces and walls. Water is off for part of each day, and we tell you the schedule in advance.
Test and patch
We pressure test, schedule the city inspection and patch the small access holes in drywall. Painting is a separate step.
Plan around the water shutoff
A repipe usually keeps the water off for part of one or more days. Plan showers, laundry and meals, and move fragile items away from walls we will open. Most homes stay livable throughout, and we explain the schedule before we begin.
A planned repipe is usually not covered by homeowners insurance. Damage from a sudden pipe burst may be. Some insurers offer a discount for modern plumbing, so ask yours.
Thinking about a repipe?
Call to schedule an assessment. If a pipe is leaking right now, call the 24/7 line.
Where we repipe
We repipe homes across Saratoga 95070 and in Los Gatos (95030, 95032), Monte Sereno and Campbell. If you need a slab leak rerouted rather than a full repipe, read about slab leak repair. The Los Gatos plumbing page covers the neighboring area.
Common Questions
Repeated leaks, rusty water, low pressure at every fixture or known problem pipe like polybutylene are the common signs. An inspection tells you the material and condition.
Many homes take several days, depending on size and access. The water is typically off for part of each day.
PEX is approved for potable water under California code and is widely used in new construction.
Typically yes. Ask the City of Saratoga building division about your address. We handle the permit and the inspection.
Repiping needs small access openings in some walls. We patch them. Texture and paint are separate.
Most homeowners do. We plan water shutoffs around your schedule and keep the work area contained.
It can. Scale narrows pipes and contributes to pitting. A water softener can slow the process.
Usually not as a planned upgrade. Damage from a sudden burst may be covered, and some insurers give discounts for new plumbing.