Signs your pipes are near the end
- Rust-colored water that clears slowly
- Pinhole leaks in more than one spot
- Low pressure at several fixtures
- Green or white buildup on copper joints
- Pipes that clank or knock
- Frequent repairs in a short time
One leak is a repair. Two or three in a year is a pattern. At that point a repipe can be cheaper than the repair bills and the water damage they leave behind. If you have an active leak now, call us first. See burst pipe repair for urgent cases.
Pipe materials and what to expect
| Material | Age and use | Issues | Replacement note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | Common in mid-century homes | Rusts from inside, reduces flow | Best replaced entirely |
| Copper | Common for decades | Pinhole leaks, pitting, corrosion | Can be repaired or replaced |
| Polybutylene | Gray plastic used in some 1980s and 1990s homes | Known for failures at fittings | Replace if found |
| PEX | Modern flexible plastic | Few corrosion issues | Common replacement choice |
| Lead | Very old service lines | Health concern | Test and replace as needed |
Hingham was founded in 1635 and has houses from many eras. A home near Hingham Square may have copper in some rooms, galvanized in others and PEX where a bath was renovated. We trace the system before proposing a plan.
Water chemistry and pipe life
The Weir River Water System, which serves Hingham, Hull and North Cohasset, lists corrosion control with lime and zinc orthophosphate in its 2023 water quality report. That treatment helps protect pipes, but it cannot undo corrosion that has already formed inside old galvanized or copper lines. The report does not list hardness, so test your tap if scale is a concern.
If you are in Norwell on a private well or on a town well, water chemistry varies. Acidic water can eat copper, and hard water leaves scale. A water test helps choose the pipe material and a treatment plan. We ask about your supply before recommending.
How a repipe works
- 1
Plan the route
We map every fixture and decide where new lines run, using existing chases when possible.
- 2
Shut off and protect
Water is shut off and floors are protected before access holes are cut.
- 3
Run new lines
PEX or copper is run to each fixture with new shutoff valves.
- 4
Test and patch
The system is pressure tested, permitted and inspected, and access holes are closed.
A repipe usually takes from one to several days, depending on the size of the house. Water is off for part of each day, and we plan around your schedule. Drywall repair is usually separate, and we tell you what to expect before starting.
Permits and inspection
Repiping is not a minor repair, and it needs a plumbing permit and inspection. Hingham's schedule effective January 29, 2024 lists a $50 minimum for the first fixture and $15 for each additional fixture, and rough and final inspections are mandatory. The town's posted rule is also clear that no water piping is to be installed on outside walls.
Massachusetts allows only licensed master or journeyman plumbers to install plumbing. Ask to see the permit, because it is your assurance the work will be inspected.
What repiping costs
Repiping is priced per house, not per foot, and it depends on a few clear factors.
What moves the price
- House sizeMore bathrooms and floors mean more pipe.
- MaterialPEX and copper are priced differently.
- AccessOpen basements are quicker than finished walls.
- FixturesShutoff valves and fixtures replaced during the job add cost.
- Repairs afterDrywall and paint are usually separate.
Insurance does not cover repiping for age or wear. If a leak damaged walls, the damage may be covered, but the pipes themselves generally are not.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We repipe homes in ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188 through 02191, 02061 and 02045. A short leak detection visit can show whether you have an isolated leak or a system-wide problem. To plan a repipe, call our dispatch line.
What to do if old pipes start failing
- Know where your main shutoff is and test it twice a year
- Watch for brown water, low pressure or pinhole drips
- Do not tape over repeated leaks in the same line
- Document each leak and repair for your insurer
- Call before a small leak becomes a ceiling collapse
Repiping is permitted work. Hingham's fee schedule starts at $50 for one fixture and $15 for each additional fixture, with rough and final inspections required according to the town.
Questions homeowners ask
Repeated leaks, rusty water and low pressure are signs. A plumber can inspect the pipes and tell you how far along the problem is.
Anywhere from a day to a week, depending on the house size and access.
PEX approved for potable water is widely used. We use approved material and fittings and pressure test the system.
Usually not, but water is off for part of the day. We plan with you.
We cut small access holes and close them, but paint and finish work are usually separate.