A whole-house repipe cost in Lexington is typically between $1,500 and $15,000, with most homeowners paying around $7,500 depending on their home's size, pipe material choice, and accessibility of existing plumbing
This important plumbing project can seem overwhelming, but understanding the costs and process can make it much easier to plan for. Many homeowners in our area find themselves considering this upgrade when facing issues like persistent leaks, rusty water, or damage from our occasional winter freezes.
The price varies based on whether you choose PEX, copper, or other materials, and whether you're replacing just a section or all the pipes in your home.
In this article, you’ll learn how much whole-home repiping costs in Lexington and what factors influence the total price.
Below, we’ll walk through each important aspect:
Let's dive in!
Repiping your home is a significant investment that becomes necessary when your plumbing system shows certain critical warning signs. Understanding these indicators can help you make timely decisions before small issues become major emergencies.
The age of your plumbing system is a primary indicator for repiping needs. Homes built before 1970 often have galvanized steel pipes that typically last 40-50 years before failing. These older systems are prone to internal corrosion and buildup.
If you're experiencing frequent leaks in different areas of your home, this suggests a system-wide problem rather than isolated incidents.
Multiple plumbing repairs within a short timeframe indicate your system is deteriorating throughout the house. When repair costs begin to add up, repiping often becomes more economical in the long run.
Low water quality is another telltale sign. If water from your taps has an unusual taste or odor despite water treatment, your pipes may be contaminating your water supply.
Pinhole leaks in copper pipes signal corrosion from the inside out. These tiny leaks may seem minor but indicate widespread pipe deterioration.
Discolored water is a serious warning sign:
Inconsistent water pressure throughout your home, especially pressure that gradually decreases over time, points to mineral buildup inside pipes that restricts water flow.
Noisy pipes that make knocking or banging sounds (water hammer) can indicate air pockets from corrosion or loose pipe supports due to aging infrastructure.
Delaying necessary repiping exposes your home to significant risks. Water damage from unexpected pipe failures can destroy walls, floors, and personal belongings. Mold growth often follows water damage, creating health hazards for your family.
Outdated materials like polybutylene or lead pipes present serious concerns. Polybutylene pipes (common in homes built 1978-1995) are prone to catastrophic failure, while lead pipes pose well-documented health risks.
Insurance complications may arise if you knowingly maintain outdated plumbing. Some insurance companies may deny claims for water damage if the plumbing system was known to be outdated or in poor condition.
Property value declines when outdated plumbing systems are discovered during home inspections. Potential buyers often request significant price reductions or walk away from deals involving homes with failing plumbing.
Repiping a house in Lexington typically costs between $4,500 and $15,000 depending on several key factors. The size of your home and the type of piping material you choose will have the biggest impact on your final price.
For Lexington homeowners, repiping costs vary significantly based on square footage and material choice. Here's what you can expect:
PEX Piping: $4,500-$9,000 for whole-home repiping Copper Piping: $8,000-$15,000 for whole-home repiping
The cost difference is substantial because copper is more expensive as a material and requires more labor to install. PEX has become the more popular choice for many Lexington homes due to its flexibility, ease of installation, and lower cost.
Average Cost Per Square Foot:
Home size directly impacts your repiping budget in Lexington. Here's a breakdown of typical costs:
2-Bedroom Home (1,000-1,500 sq ft)
3-Bedroom Home (1,500-2,200 sq ft)
4+ Bedroom Home (2,200+ sq ft)
Larger homes have more fixtures and longer pipe runs, which increases both material and labor costs. We find that most Lexington homes fall into the middle category.
Beyond size and materials, several other factors influence your repiping costs in Lexington:
Accessibility Issues: Homes with crawl spaces typically cost 10-15% less to repipe than those with concrete slabs, as pipes are easier to access.
Home Layout: Multi-story homes cost about 20-30% more than single-story homes of the same square footage due to additional labor.
Permit Costs: In Lexington, plumbing permits range from $150-$400 depending on project scope.
Wall Repairs: Budget an additional $500-$1,500 for drywall repair and painting after repiping.
Fixture Upgrades: Replacing faucets or other fixtures during repiping adds $200-$500 per fixture but saves on future labor costs.
Selecting the right material for your home's repiping project in Lexington, SC is a crucial decision that affects your water quality, system longevity, and budget. Each material has distinct advantages that may work better for your specific situation.
Copper pipes have excellent durability in our Lexington climate. They withstand temperature fluctuations well and don't degrade from UV exposure. However, copper can corrode in our slightly acidic soil conditions over time.
PEX offers outstanding freeze resistance, which helps during our occasional winter cold snaps. This flexible material can expand up to 3 times its diameter without bursting. PEX also resists the mineral buildup common in some Lexington water supplies.
CPVC provides good heat resistance and stands up well to our local water chemistry. It's less affected by soil conditions than copper but can become brittle over time with sun exposure.
For homes closer to Lake Murray, where soil moisture varies seasonally, PEX's flexibility makes it less likely to crack during ground shifts.
Material Comparison
Material
Average Lifespan
Cost Per Linear Foot
Installation Complexity
Copper
50+ years
$2.50-$5.00
High (requires soldering)
PEX
25-40 years
$0.50-$2.00
Low (flexible, fewer joints)
CPVC
30-50 years
$0.75-$2.50
Medium (requires cement)
PEX is the most cost-effective option upfront and works well with most existing systems. It's approximately 70% cheaper than copper in materials alone.
Copper offers the longest lifespan but costs more initially. In older Lexington homes with existing copper lines, staying with copper simplifies connections and reduces potential compatibility issues.
CPVC strikes a middle ground in both cost and lifespan. It connects easily to existing PVC waste lines but requires special adapters for copper transitions.
When deciding between materials, consider your long-term plans for your Lexington home. If you'll stay for 10+ years, copper's longevity may justify its higher cost despite being 2-3 times more expensive than alternatives.
For immediate budget concerns, PEX provides the most affordable solution while still offering good reliability. The installation typically saves 30-40% on labor costs compared to copper due to its flexibility and fewer required connections.
We recommend a hybrid approach for many Lexington homes: using copper for main lines and PEX for branch lines. This capitalizes on copper's strength where water pressure is highest while saving money with PEX in areas with less stress.
Water quality matters too. If you have hard water, PEX resists mineral buildup better than copper. For homes with water treatment systems, verify compatibility—some systems use chemicals that may affect certain pipe materials.
The repiping process involves several carefully orchestrated steps to replace your home's plumbing system with minimal disruption. Knowing what happens during each phase helps you prepare for the project.
Most whole-home repiping projects in Lexington, SC take between 3-5 days to complete. The timeline depends on your home's size, layout, and the complexity of your plumbing system.
For an average 2,000 square foot home, expect:
Larger homes may require 7-10 days for completion. We always provide a detailed timeline during the initial assessment so you know exactly what to expect.
Water service is typically only shut off during working hours. We restore water service at the end of each workday so you can use your bathroom and kitchen facilities overnight.
Repiping requires access to your home's plumbing system, which means some drywall removal is necessary. We create strategic access points to minimize damage.
Typical access locations include:
We use drop cloths and plastic sheeting to protect your furniture and belongings. Our team takes care to create only the minimum necessary openings.
After pipe installation, our drywall specialists repair all openings. This includes:
We don't include final painting in our standard service, but we can recommend qualified painters if needed.
Emergency repiping becomes necessary when your plumbing system suffers catastrophic failure. Signs include multiple pipe bursts, widespread leaking, or severe water contamination.
In emergency situations, we implement a rapid response protocol:
For emergency repiping, we prioritize essential areas first: one bathroom, the kitchen, and laundry connections. This approach ensures you have working facilities while we complete the rest of the project.
Emergency repiping typically costs 15-25% more than scheduled projects due to the urgent nature of the work.
Repiping your home in Lexington, SC is a significant investment that pays off in improved water quality, better water pressure, and prevention of future plumbing emergencies. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $1,500 and $15,000, with an average of around $7,500.
The final cost depends on your home's size, pipe material choice, and the complexity of your plumbing system. PEX remains the most affordable option, while copper offers durability at a higher price point.
We recommend getting multiple quotes from licensed Lexington plumbers who specialize in whole-home repiping.
Remember to ask potential contractors about their experience, warranties, permits, and cleanup procedures. A quality repiping job should last 50+ years with minimal maintenance.
While repiping creates temporary disruption, professional plumbers work to minimize inconvenience and typically complete most homes within 2-5 days.
Investing in whole-home repiping eliminates recurring repair costs and provides peace of mind about your home's plumbing system for decades to come.
Get a free repiping estimate from Dr Rooter today and ensure your home’s plumbing is safe, reliable, and built to last.
