Whole House Repipe Specialists in Houston

If your home has rusty water, weak water pressure, or one leak after another, the problem may not be a single bad pipe. It may be the entire plumbing system reaching the end of its life. A whole house repipe replaces those aging water lines with new piping, restoring clean water, strong pressure, and peace of mind.

Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning has been based in the Houston Heights since 1979, and our repipe specialists in Houston have replaced the plumbing in homes across the city, from 100-year-old bungalows to newer homes with failing copper. Our own licensed plumbers handle every step, from inspection and permits to the final pressure test.

What Is a Whole House Repipe?

A whole house repipe replaces all of the water supply lines in your home, starting at the house side of the water meter and running to every fixture and appliance, including faucets, toilets, showers, tubs, the water heater, the washing machine, and outdoor hose bibs.

A repipe does not include drain pipes or sewer lines, and it does not replace fixtures like faucets and toilets. If you are dealing with slow drains or sewer backups, our sewer line repair team can help.

Why Many Houston Homes Need Repiping

Houston has thousands of older homes in neighborhoods like the Heights, Montrose, Memorial, West University, Bellaire, Garden Oaks, and Oak Forest. Many were built with galvanized steel water pipes, which were common until the 1960s and 1970s. Galvanized pipe is coated with zinc to slow rust, but over decades that coating wears away. The steel underneath rusts from the inside out, narrowing the pipe and eventually causing leaks.

Homes built before the 1930s may still have lead service lines, and lead solder was used on copper pipe joints until it was banned for drinking water systems in 1986. Some homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s also have polybutylene pipe, a gray plastic line known for sudden failures. In pier and beam homes, water lines often run under the house where they are exposed to moisture and the elements.

Signs You May Need a Whole House Repipe

• Discolored water - Brown, red, or yellow water, especially when you first turn on the tap, points to rusting pipes
• Low water pressure - Corrosion inside old pipes restricts flow throughout the house
• Repeated leaks - We follow a simple rule: one leak can be repaired, but when a second leak appears in the same aging system, repiping is usually the smarter investment
• Pinhole leaks in copper - Tiny leaks in older copper lines are often a sign more are on the way
• Galvanized, lead, or polybutylene pipes - These materials are past their useful life or are known to fail
• Bad taste or odor - A metallic or stale taste can mean your pipes are breaking down

PEX vs Copper: Choosing Your New Pipes

PEX Piping

PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is the most common material for repiping today. It is flexible, so it needs fewer fittings and fewer potential leak points. It will not corrode, and it can expand if water freezes inside, making it more resistant to freeze damage. PEX costs less than copper and installs faster. It must be protected from sunlight, so it is not used for exposed outdoor runs. Learn more about PEX pipe installation.

Copper Piping

Copper has been trusted for generations. It is durable, naturally resistant to bacteria, handles sunlight and heat well, and can last 50 years or more. Copper costs more and takes longer to install because every joint is soldered. Learn more about copper pipe installation.

Our plumbers are trained to install both. We will explain the pros and cons for your home and budget, and you make the choice. We are here to help you decide, not to push one product.

Nick's Plumbing explains what to expect from a whole house repipe in Houston.

Our Whole House Repipe Process

1. Inspection and written estimate - We inspect your plumbing and provide a detailed written estimate. We encourage you to compare quotes from other licensed plumbers.
2. Permits and planning - We pull the required city permit and plan the best route for the new lines, usually through the attic and walls in slab homes or under the house in pier and beam homes
3. Protect your home - We cover floors and furniture and make small, precise openings in drywall only where we need access
4. Install the new piping - New lines are run alongside the old ones, so your water stays on for most of the project
5. Switch over - We connect each fixture to the new system, which is usually the only time your water is off for an extended period
6. Test and inspect - We pressure test the entire system and schedule the city inspection
7. Patch - We patch the access openings so your home is ready for paint

How Long Does a Repipe Take?

Most whole house repipes take from a couple of days to about a week. The size of the home, the number of bathrooms, the pipe material, and access to the attic or crawl space all affect the timeline. Most families stay in their homes during the project.

A Warning About Under-Slab Loop Systems

Some builders run copper water lines in a continuous loop under the slab, going from fixture to fixture to save on materials. When one of these lines leaks, finding and repairing it can mean tunneling under the house or cutting into walls and floors. For homes with a history of slab leaks, rerouting the water lines overhead through the attic and walls is often the most reliable long-term fix. Our hydrostatic leak detection and leak location services help determine the best plan.

Will Homeowners Insurance Pay for a Repipe?

Usually not. Insurance policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage, but they treat replacing old pipes as regular home maintenance, like replacing a roof. Insurers may also be less willing to cover repeat leaks from plumbing they consider worn out. Repiping before a major leak can protect both your home and your coverage.

Whole House Repipe Cost in Houston

Whole house repiping at Nick's Plumbing starts at $4,500, with most projects in the $4,500-$35,000 range. The size of your home, the number of bathrooms and fixtures, PEX or copper piping, access to the attic or crawl space, and the amount of drywall work all affect the final price.

Online prices are a planning guide, not a final quote. We provide a detailed written estimate before any work begins. Financing with no interest for 18 months is available for qualifying customers.

How to Choose a Repipe Company

• Licensed and local - Choose a licensed Houston plumbing company with its own employees, not an out-of-town company that subcontracts the work
• Permits pulled - A reputable company pulls permits and schedules the city inspection
• A detailed written estimate - It should include materials, labor, drywall patching, and permit fees
• Warranties - Ask how the company stands behind its parts and workmanship
• Reputation - Look for many positive reviews over a long period of time

Nick's Plumbing also replaces aging gas piping. See our gas line installation service. To protect your new plumbing, consider a Flo by Moen leak detection system.

Our plumbing experts discuss repiping older Houston homes and choosing between PEX and copper.

Why Houston Homeowners Trust Nick's Plumbing

• Family owned since 1979 - More than 45 years serving Houston homes
• Licensed and insured - Texas Master Plumber License MPL# 38548
• Background-checked technicians - We email you the names and photos of the technicians coming to your home
• Upfront pricing - You approve the price before we start
• VIP members save - Priority scheduling and 10% off with our VIP maintenance plan

Serving The Heights, Montrose, Memorial, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and surrounding Houston neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions