5 Warning Signs Your Bay Area Home Needs a Whole House Repipe
If your Bay Area home was built before 1985, there’s a good chance you’re living with galvanized steel pipes that are slowly corroding from the inside out. Here’s how to tell if it’s time for a whole house repipe, and what to expect from the process.
5 Warning Signs Your Pipes Need Replacing
1. Rusty or Discolored Water
Brown, yellow, or orange water when you first turn on the tap is a classic sign of corroding galvanized pipes. The rust is literally flaking off the inside of your pipes and into your water supply. While not always dangerous, it indicates your pipes are deteriorating.
2. Low Water Pressure Throughout the House
If multiple fixtures have weak pressure, not just one faucet, the problem is likely mineral buildup and corrosion narrowing your pipes from the inside. A galvanized pipe that started at 3/4 inch internal diameter can narrow to less than 1/4 inch over 40+ years.
3. Frequent Pinhole Leaks
One leak might be a fluke. Two or three in the same year means your entire system is failing. Pinhole leaks in copper pipes often indicate aggressive water chemistry, while leaks in galvanized pipes signal advanced corrosion.
4. Your Home Is Over 40 Years Old with Original Plumbing
Galvanized steel pipes have a typical lifespan of 40-60 years. Copper pipes last 50-70 years. If your Bay Area home was built in the 1960s-1980s and still has original plumbing, you’re in the replacement window.
5. Lead Solder Joints (Pre-1986 Homes)
Before 1986, lead solder was commonly used on copper pipe joints. California banned lead solder in 1986 (federal ban came in 1988). If your home has pre-1986 copper plumbing, a repipe eliminates the lead exposure risk entirely.
What Does a Whole House Repipe Include?
A complete repipe replaces all water supply lines from the main shutoff to every fixture in your home. At Repipe Champions, our standard repipe includes:
- All hot and cold water supply lines replaced with PEX or copper
- New angle stops at every fixture
- New hose bibbs (outdoor faucets)
- Patching of all access points (drywall repair included)
- City inspection and permit
How Long Does It Take?
Most whole house repipes are completed in 1-2 days for a typical single-family home. You’ll have running water by the end of each work day. We schedule the city inspection within 1-3 days of completion.
Ready for a Free Assessment?
Repipe Champions serves the entire Bay Area: Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. Contact us for a free in-home assessment and see if your home needs a repipe.
