What to Expect During a Full Home Repipe

Full repiping is one of the more involved residential plumbing projects, but understanding the typical sequence makes it much less daunting to plan around.

Planning and access mapping

Before any work begins, the existing pipe routing is mapped and a plan is made for the smallest reasonable access openings — often through closets, basements, or existing chases rather than finished living spaces where possible.

Staged shutoffs

Water is typically shut off in stages rather than for the entire duration, so portions of the home retain water access as work progresses through other sections.

New line installation and pressure testing

New copper or PEX lines are run and connected, then pressure tested before any walls are closed up, catching any issues while they're still easy to access.

Patching and restoration

Once testing confirms everything is sound, access openings are prepared for drywall patching, which can be handled by the plumbing team or coordinated with your contractor.

Most single-family or townhouse repipes are completed in two to four days, with hot water restored to some fixtures each night during the process.