Repiping replaces a home's water supply lines, either the whole house or a failing section, usually with PEX or copper. It makes sense when pipes have leaked repeatedly, are corroded, or are a material known to fail. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Greensboro.
When repiping is worth considering
A single leak isn't a reason to repipe. These are:
- More than one leak in the past few years, in different places
- Galvanized steel supply lines, which corrode from the inside and restrict flow
- Polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe used in some homes before the mid-1990s that has a poor track record
- Rusty or discolored water from several taps, hot and cold
- Low pressure throughout the house that isn't explained by the City supply
Why it comes up in Greensboro
About 43% of Greensboro homes were built before 1980, and the median home dates from 1985, per Census survey data. A lot of houses are now at the age where original supply lines are reaching the end of their life. If your home is one of them and you're seeing the signs above, a plumber can check the pipe material and condition in a short visit.
Greensboro's water works in your favor here. The City's water quality report describes it as moderately soft, with average hardness of 43 to 46 milligrams per liter, so mineral scale is less of a problem than in hard-water regions. Pipe age and material are usually the bigger factors.
PEX or copper?
| PEX | Copper | |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Flexible, fewer fittings, easier to snake through walls | Rigid, more joints, more wall openings |
| Freeze tolerance | Some give before splitting | Splits more readily when frozen |
| Where it can't go | Not for direct sunlight or next to high heat | Few limits |
Most repipes today use PEX for the reasons above, but copper is still a solid choice. Ask the plumber why they recommend one over the other for your house.
What the job involves
In a crawl space or basement house, most new pipe runs below the floor and only short runs go up through walls, which limits drywall work. Slab homes usually get new lines routed through the attic and walls. Water is typically off only during part of each day. The City of Greensboro issues plumbing permits and inspects the work, and the plumber normally handles that.
A note on lead
The City says lead in drinking water comes mainly from service lines and home plumbing, and it offers lead testing on request. If you're unsure what your old pipes or solder are made of, a test is a reasonable first step.
What affects the cost
Number of bathrooms and fixtures, total pipe length, crawl space versus slab access, pipe material, and wall repair all drive the price. Get a written scope that says whether drywall patching is included.
Repiping questions from Greensboro homeowners
How do I know what kind of pipes I have?
Can I repipe just part of the house?
Does Greensboro water damage pipes?
Do I need a permit to repipe in Greensboro?
Related plumbing services in Greensboro
Helpful guides
Repiping in nearby cities and towns
Guilford County
Alamance County
Randolph County
Rockingham County
Davidson County
Orange County
Chatham County
Sources
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