Seattle, WA · Licensed & insured
Whole-Home Repiping in Seattle
Repeated supply leaks or verified restrictions can justify replacing interior water pipes. First distinguish a fixture fault, service-line problem or valve restriction from deteriorated distribution piping. Map retained sections after earlier remodels, then compare a targeted repair with a permitted whole-home repipe.
Signs you need us today
- Brown or discolored water at first draw
- Pressure collapses when a second fixture runs
- Repeated pinhole leaks in copper
- Galvanized or polybutylene pipe visible in the crawlspace
- A home built before 1970 on original supply lines
- Insurance asking about polybutylene
How the job runs
- 1Walk the houseEvery run, fixture and access point mapped so the quote is fixed, not an estimate that grows.
- 2Choose materialPEX-A or copper, with the trade-offs explained in plain terms.
- 3RepipeStaged so the home keeps water overnight through the project.
- 4Inspect and patchPermit inspection, then drywall patch and texture back to paint-ready.
Seattle homeowner guide
Whole-house pressure loss needs diagnosis before repiping
Low pressure at one faucet can be a clogged aerator or fixture valve rather than deteriorated house piping. If several fixtures lose flow when another tap opens, the investigation should include the service line, shutoff valves, any pressure regulator and the interior distribution piping. A property's construction date does not establish which pipes remain in use after remodeling.
In Wallingford, Montlake or another neighborhood with historic houses, gather remodeling records and identify visible pipe materials where accessible. A partial renovation may have renewed the bathroom branches but left other runs untouched. Repeated failures or verified restrictions can support a repiping recommendation; one discolored-water event or a single leak does not automatically justify a whole-home project.
Interior repiping is not sewer replacement
A supply repipe replaces the pipes carrying potable water to fixtures. Drain, waste and vent piping and the private side sewer are separate systems. The buried water service between the meter and house may also be a separate scope. Ask which of these systems are actually included so a new interior installation is not mistaken for replacement of every pipe on the property.
For a converted Capitol Hill house or University District rental, record each kitchen, bathroom and laundry connection, including any shared areas. The written scope should identify retained sections, materials, valves, access openings and whether fixtures themselves are being replaced. Landlords and condominium owners also need the appropriate authorization for work affecting other occupants.
Material selection, disruption and permits
PEX and copper have different installation requirements, costs and routing options. Ask how the proposed material will be supported and protected, how transitions will be made and how accessible shutoffs will be provided. Neither material makes a building immune to freezing, installation defects or future leaks.
Discuss Seattle-area plumbing permits and any related work before scheduling. Ask for an explicit water-shutdown plan rather than assuming water returns every evening. For finished rooms, compare the wall and ceiling openings, patching, texture and paint exclusions. Photographs of concealed work and a record of inspection make future maintenance and remodeling easier.
Details to have ready when you call
- Which fixtures lose flow and when?
- Are there records of earlier partial pipe replacements?
- Does the scope include the water service, drains or only interior supplies?
- What shutdowns and wall, ceiling or paint repairs are included?
Seattle references: SPU side-sewer responsibilities and permits · Current side-sewer application process. · Public Health plumbing and water-heater permits · SPU meter and leak checks.
What this costs in Seattle
Illustrative planning ranges, not verified local market averages or a binding quote. Access, diagnosis, permits and restoration affect the price. Confirm the current charges before booking.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Partial repipe (one bathroom / kitchen) | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Whole-home PEX repipe (1,500 sq ft) | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Whole-home copper repipe | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Water service line replacement (meter to house) | $3,500 – $9,000 |
Questions Seattle homeowners ask
- PEX or copper?
- PEX costs less, installs faster, resists freezing better and is the default for most Seattle homes. Copper is chosen for exposed runs and owners who want a 50-year material.
- Do we have to move out?
- No. A typical whole-home repipe is two to four days and the home has water at the end of each day.
- Does it include drywall repair?
- Patch and texture to paint-ready is in our quote. Final paint colour match is usually left to the homeowner.
Covering every Seattle neighborhood
Ballard · Fremont · Wallingford · Green Lake · Queen Anne · Magnolia · Capitol Hill · Central District · Beacon Hill · Columbia City · West Seattle · Georgetown · Greenwood · Phinney Ridge and the rest of the city.
Talk to a plumber now
(206) 635-7619