When your home’s plumbing system shows signs of age, it might be time to consider repiping. How to repipe a house with PEX offers several advantages over traditional materials like copper or galvanized steel, including cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and durability.
If you’re considering repiping your house with PEX, you’re probably wondering about the process, timeline, costs, and whether it’s truly the right choice for your home. This guide aims to answer all your questions about PEX repiping, helping you make an informed decision for your plumbing needs.
Repiping your house with PEX is a substantial project that involves replacing your existing plumbing system with new PEX tubing. While many homeowners wonder how to repipe a house with PEX, the process typically follows these steps:
Before cutting into any walls, create a detailed plan for your new plumbing system. This includes:
Most modern PEX installations use a home-run or manifold system:
With the manifold in place, it’s time to run individual PEX lines to repipe a house with PEX:
PEX connections can be made using several methods:
Before closing up walls:
Once testing confirms a successful installation:
If you find this project troubling and want to avoid going without water for the entire duration, contact AL Rooter Plumbing for a professional repipe.
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One of the most common questions homeowners have is about the timeline to repipe a house with PEX. The duration of a PEX repiping project depends on several factors:
For an average 2-bathroom home, you can typically expect:
During this time, water service may be interrupted during working hours, but is usually restored at the end of each workday, so you can still use your facilities overnight.
Even with careful planning, repiping projects can present unexpected obstacles. Here are some common challenges you might encounter when repiping a house with PEX, along with practical solutions:
Challenge: In some homes, plumbing runs through areas that are difficult to access, such as concrete slabs or behind built-in cabinets.
Solution: PEX’s flexibility is advantageous here, as it can often be threaded through existing spaces with minimal demolition. In extreme cases, alternative routing may be necessary.
Challenge: Historic or older homes may have unusual plumbing configurations or materials that complicate repiping.
Solution: Experienced plumbers can adapt PEX systems to work with older homes, often creating hybrid systems that preserve historical elements while upgrading functionality.
Challenge: Improper sizing of PEX tubing can lead to reduced water pressure on the way to repipe a house with PEX.
Solution: A proper design accounts for the slightly smaller interior diameter of PEX compared to copper, using appropriate sizing calculations to maintain adequate flow.
Challenge: PEX can be damaged by extreme temperatures or UV exposure.
Solution: Proper insulation for pipes in attics or outside walls and ensuring no PEX is exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods.
By anticipating these challenges and preparing appropriate solutions, you can avoid costly delays and frustrations during your repiping project.
While DIY enthusiasts might consider repiping their house with PEX, there are several situations where hiring a professional is strongly recommended:
There are scenarios where a competent DIYer might successfully handle a repipe of a house with PEX installation:
Even in these cases, thorough research and preparation are essential. Consider consulting with a professional for advice before proceeding with any DIY plumbing project, particularly one involving your home’s main water supply lines.
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PEX has become increasingly popular for repiping projects due to its numerous advantages:
Quality repiping a house with PEX tubing is rated to last 50+ years and resists common issues like corrosion, scaling, and freezing damage that plague metal pipes.
PEX’s flexibility allows for long, continuous runs with fewer fittings, reducing potential leak points and making installation easier in tight spaces.
When comparing the cost to repipe a house with PEX versus other materials, PEX typically offers significant savings in both materials and labor.
PEX virtually eliminates water hammer and pipe noise due to its flexibility and ability to absorb pressure changes.
Repipe a house with PEX maintains heat better than metal pipes, reducing energy loss in hot water lines and potentially lowering utility bills.
Unlike copper, PEX resists damage from acidic water and doesn’t develop pinhole leaks from chlorine exposure.
These benefits explain why so many homeowners choose PEX when facing the decision to repipe their homes, making the initial investment worthwhile through long-term savings and peace of mind.
Despite its many advantages, PEX is not without drawbacks:
PEX degrades when exposed to ultraviolet light, making it unsuitable for outdoor, exposed applications unless properly protected.
Unlike copper, if you repipe a house with PEX, it cannot be recycled at the end of its life, raising environmental concerns.
Some homeowners report that rodents are more likely to chew through PEX than metal pipes, though this is relatively uncommon.
There have been some debates about whether certain types of PEX might affect water taste or quality, though modern PEX products are certified safe for drinking water.
PEX has temperature limitations and shouldn’t be connected directly to boilers or used for steam applications.
The PEX versus copper debate often arises when planning a repiping project. Each material has distinct advantages:
For most modern residential applications, how to repipe a house with PEX offers a better value proposition, especially when considering the total repiping a house with PEX. However, copper might be preferable in specific applications where its properties are beneficial, such as commercial settings or where extreme heat resistance is required.
The question of how much it costs to repipe with PEX is typically top of mind for homeowners. The average cost to repipe a house is between $3,500 and $11,000. Keep in mind that prices vary significantly based on location, home size, and specific requirements. These repipe a house with PEX estimates typically include materials, labor, permits, and basic wall repairs, but pricing can vary widely depending on your specific situation.
Several factors influence the overall cost of your PEX repiping project:
Understanding these cost factors helps you evaluate contractor quotes and determine where you might be able to economize without compromising quality.
To maximize your budget when repiping your house with PEX and even save on the average cost of replacing a sewer line:
When considering repiping your house with PEX, choosing the right contractor makes all the difference. At Al Rooter Plumbing, our specialized team brings decades of experience to every repiping project. Our certified technicians are specifically trained in modern PEX installation techniques, ensuring your new plumbing system is installed correctly the first time.
We understand that repiping is a significant investment, which is why we offer comprehensive consultations, transparent pricing, and flexible scheduling to minimize disruption to your daily life. Our team handles everything from initial assessment through final inspection, including obtaining all necessary permits and coordinating with local inspection authorities.
The way to repipe a house with PEX represents an excellent investment in your home’s infrastructure, potentially solving persistent plumbing problems while adding value to your property. The combination of lower materials cost, reduced labor requirements, and excellent durability makes PEX an attractive choice for most residential repiping projects.
When planning your repiping project, take time to research qualified contractors, understand the scope of work involved, and prepare your home appropriately. While the process may cause temporary inconvenience, a properly executed PEX repiping job should provide decades of trouble-free service, making it well worth the investment.