Copper repiping refers to replacing the older pipes in your home with copper ones. Generally the pipes to replace are anodized steel or iron and zinc plated pipes, which were used commonly in older homes. While these types of pipes can still be in good repair, they often suffer from corrosion (rust) problems. This can lead to poor fitting joints or even cracks in the pipes themselves.

It can also lead to poor water quality. As the steel rusts, bits of the rust can flake off into the water. In the worst cases this causes the water to turn reddish, but even if there is no visible difference there may still be particles. This can be somewhat of a health concern if it is drinking water that isn’t filtered at some point.

Copper pipes on the other hand have high corrosion resistance. Replacing older steel pipes with new copper tubing can help guard your home against water damage, as well as to improve the quality of the water. This is the main reason why copper repiping is such a common plumbing project on older homes.

Can Copper Repiping Guard Against Slab Leaks?

When pipes are encased in cement it makes repairs and replacements much more difficult. Because of this, slab leaks are a major concern for home owners. By making sure that the pipes which pass through slabs of cement are of high quality, you can help avoid costly repairs later on.

For copper repiping jobs, this may mean having to tear up the slab in some cases. Usually though, the pipes you will need to replace shouldn’t be too difficult to get at while only impacting a small area of the slab. This is because water delivery lines very rarely travel horizontally through a slab. Instead they are suspended below it in a crawlspace and only pass through the slab vertically.

This is different than with hydronic heating systems, which often have the pipes embedded within the slab. In cases of leaks in such a system, it can be very difficult to find and replace the defective pipes. Generally speaking, hydronic systems do not use copper pipe, but rather PEX or some other flexible piping material.

Cost of Copper Repiping

Copper is a somewhat expensive material, and with all the difficulties in getting to the pipes in the walls and floors, then fixing it all up afterward, repiping your home can be a very expensive project. It’s not uncommon for it to cost several thousands of dollars. Sometimes though you can get away with only replacing some of the pipes in your home. This can dramatically bring down the cost of the project, but may leave you in the situation where you will need to upgrade more of the pipes later on.

In the long run, upgrading your pipes piecemeal as they fail is probably the most expensive option. Not only do you have to open up the walls and floors multiple times, but you will also have more fittings to buy than if you replace it all at once. These extra fittings and joints can increase the likelihood of leaks forming over time as well, increasing maintenance costs.

Alternatives to Copper Pipes

Generally speaking, copper is the material of choice for plumbing. It can be difficult to work with, and expensive though. If copper is a bit too expensive for your tastes, or if you don’t feel comfortable using a blowtorch in cramped spaces on a DIY project, there are other options that can be good options too.

PEX Tubing for Simplicity and Flexibility

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible tubing material that works great for water delivery systems. Because of it’s flexibility it isn’t prone to cracking or bursting when water freezes, which while not much of a consideration in Los Angeles or other areas which rarely see freezing temperatures, it can be a big plus in it’s favor if you live in colder climates.

Plumbing with PEX is also a pretty easy process. Fittings designed for PEX installations are easy to work with and leaks can quickly be fixed. This is in contrast to copper piping, where soldering joints can be a difficult thing to do, especially in tight spaces where the torch can damage other plastic pipes, insulation, wood framing, or wiring.

Polybutylene

Polybutylene is another option that isn’t as commonly used these days. Developed in the 70′s, it was once touted as the plumbing material of the future. The problem with polybutylene is that it often springs leaks. In fact, repiping projects are often replacing polybutylene pipes, rather than installing them.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Water Pipes

PVC is another type of pipe that is common in water delivery and waste water systems. PVC is a rigid material that does well so long as it’s kept out of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light can degrade PVC, and so if you must use it in areas where it would receive sunlight, it’s best to use uPVC instead. This is PVC that has been treated to be resistant to ultraviolet light.

While PVC is rigid at room temperatures, it becomes flexible when heated. This can allow for the pipe to be bent into shape, reducing the need for fittings. This can greatly reduce the incidence of leak because there are much fewer joints. Installation of PVC is rather simple, though it can take quite a bit of practice to form the PVC when hot. Too hot and the PVC will be weakened or even boil or catch on fire. Not hot enough and the PVC won’t flex into the proper shape.