Pipe Bursting & Re-Piping

Replacing aging or failing pipe materials

Galvanized steel pipe corrodes from the inside over time, gradually restricting water flow and eventually failing at joints or thin spots. Polybutylene pipe, common in homes built from the late 1970s through the mid 1990s, is prone to brittleness and unexpected failure as it ages. Homes with either material often reach a point where ongoing patch repairs cost more over time than addressing the system as a whole.

Re-piping replaces the home's water supply lines with more durable materials, typically PEX or copper, depending on the application and local code requirements. This is a larger project than a single repair, but it addresses the underlying cause rather than fixing one failure point at a time.

Trenchless and interior re-piping methods

For main line replacement running from the street or meter to the house, trenchless pipe bursting avoids digging a continuous trench across the yard. Instead, a new pipe is pulled through the path of the old one, which breaks apart as the new line is installed. This method significantly reduces disruption to landscaping, driveways, and hardscape compared to traditional open-trench replacement.

Interior re-piping, which replaces the supply lines running through walls and under floors, is handled differently since it is not a straight trenchless process. The technician routes new PEX or copper lines through accessible paths, which sometimes requires opening small sections of drywall to reach walls or ceilings. Ask which access openings and restoration items are included in the written scope. Pipe replacement and repairing the surrounding wall surfaces are different parts of a project.

Most residential re-pipe projects are completed within a reasonable timeframe depending on the home's size and the complexity of the layout, and a schedule estimate is discussed before work begins so you know what to expect.

Cost, financing, and what comes after

Re-piping is quoted with a free estimate after an assessment of the home's current plumbing, including which sections need replacement and which, if any, can remain. The full price is provided in writing before work starts, and the scope is explained clearly, including any drywall or landscaping restoration included.

Given the scope of a full re-pipe, financing is available through home-service lenders, including 0% promotional plans for qualifying, approved credit, with applications typically processed within minutes and work scheduled once financing is approved. New piping installed is backed by a satisfaction guarantee on workmanship, and keeping the project invoice on file is useful for any future plumbing work in the home. For an assessment of your home's existing pipe and a project estimate, contact the Tempe shop at 1917 E 5th St or call (480) 808-9990.