How repiping works here
We cut access points in the walls or under the house to pull out the old pipes and run new ones. For a full repipe, we replace every water line, including the ones to sinks, showers, and toilets. We use copper for its durability or PEX for its flexibility, especially in tight spaces. If we're just rerouting, we might only move a section that's causing trouble, like a line frozen in winter or one that's corroded. The job ends with pressure tests to make sure nothing leaks before we close up.
Charleston’s old-house quirks
Homes here often have pipes under slabs or tucked into crawl spaces that are hard to reach. Salt air speeds up rust in galvanized pipes, and old sewer lines might be clay or cast iron that’s cracked. We look for leaks in low spots where water pools, or listen for drips inside walls. If your house is raised, we check the piers for pipe damage. We know where permits are needed and how to avoid cutting through historic brick or plaster.
Signs you need new pipes
If your water looks rusty, pressure drops when two faucets run, or you hear knocking in the walls, your pipes might be failing. We check for leaks at joints, discolored spots on ceilings, or wet patches in the yard. Galvanized pipes often clog with rust, and polybutylene cracks at fittings. First, we find your main shut-off and test water flow to see if it's one line or the whole system. Then we show you what's wrong before we start work.
Questions about repiping & re-routes
How long does repiping take?
A full repipe in a small home takes about two days—one day to remove the old pipes and run new ones, another to test and finish up. If your house is larger or has tricky access, like pipes under a slab, it might take longer. For a reroute, we often finish in a day. We’ll give you water by evening if we can, and keep the cut walls to a minimum.
Will my water be off the whole time?
We shut off water to work on sections, but we’ll turn it back on for sinks or toilets you need. If we’re rerouting a single line, like to a fridge or washer, we’ll cap the old one so the rest of the house has water. For big jobs, we plan the shut-offs around when you’re home or at work, so it’s less hassle.
Can you repipe just part of the house?
Yes, if only some lines are bad. We might replace just the hot water lines, or the pipes feeding a bathroom with low pressure. But if the rest of the system is old, patching one spot can mean more leaks soon. We’ll tell you if a full repipe saves money long-term, especially with Charleston’s humid air eating at old metal pipes.