Since a full repipe is such a huge project, you cannot just hire the first person who shows up with a wrench and a low price tag. If the crew doesn’t know exactly what they’re doing, you could end up with major holes in your drywall and a plumbing system that still doesn’t work right. Preparation is vital to avoid a costly disaster.

Picking a Crew That Actually Knows Their Stuff

A specialist will walk through your house and show you exactly where the new lines will run. They’ll explain how they plan to keep the mess to a minimum. Ask them for photos of their previous work. Seeing a clean job site tells you a lot about how they’ll treat your own living room. If a contractor gets annoyed when you ask about their license or insurance, that is a huge red flag. A real pro wants you to feel comfortable.

Planning for the Chaos and the Cleanup

When the work begins, your house will seem like a construction zone for a few days. You need to make sure the contract states exactly who is responsible for patching up the holes in the walls once the new pipes are in place. Some plumbing companies just leave the giant gaps in your sheetrock for you to fix. This can cost you thousands of extra dollars that you didn’t plan for. Talk to the foreman about how they protect your furniture and floors with plastic sheeting before they start sawing into the ceiling.

Material Choices Matter More Than You Think

Copper is a classic choice that lasts a lifetime. However, it requires an open flame to solder the joints. This can be a fire risk if the plumber is not being careful inside your walls. PEX is much faster to install and can bend around corners, but it can fail quickly if it is exposed to too much sunlight or certain harsh chemicals. You should ask your contractor why they prefer one over the other for your specific neighborhood and water type.

Before you hand over that final check, you must go into every single room and turn on every faucet to make sure the water is hot and the pressure is strong. Listen for any weird vibrating noises or “water hammers” that happen when you turn a handle off quickly. Those sounds mean the pipes are not strapped down tight enough inside the walls. A good crew will stay with you while you test the showers and flush the toilets to make sure there are zero drips under the sinks. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something looks messy or if a valve is hard to reach behind a cabinet.

If you live in Tampa Bay, FL or a surrounding area and need repiping services, make your first call to Cornerstone Pros.