Repiping in Londonderry, NH means removing old water supply pipes and installing new ones throughout a house or in one section. It is a planned project, and a licensed plumber should confirm that repiping is actually needed before anyone opens a wall. Many homes only need a short repair, not a full replacement.
We start with the signs the house is already showing. Repeat leaks, brown water, falling pressure and pinhole stains at a joint are the usual reasons homeowners call. Call (603) 815-9179 to describe what you see, and we will tell you honestly if the answer is a repair or a repipe.
Signs your supply pipes are near the end
No single sign proves a pipe has failed. A pattern does. Two or three of these together are a good reason to have the system looked at.
- Water pressure that has dropped over months, even with the main valve fully open.
- Brown or rust-colored water after the line sits unused for a few hours.
- Leaks that return at new spots after each repair.
- Green crust or white mineral scale on exposed pipe joints.
- Stains or soft spots on a ceiling or wall with no visible plumbing fixture above.
A hot water tap with low flow and a cold tap that runs normally often means the hot line has narrowed from mineral buildup. If you are not sure the problem is the pipe, a leak detection visit can separate a single leak from a failing system.
Galvanized steel: why it fails from the inside
Galvanized steel pipe has a zinc coating that wears away over decades. Rust then forms inside the pipe, narrows it and eventually leaks at threaded joints. The pipe can look fine outside and be nearly closed inside.
A simple test helps us identify it. A magnet sticks to steel and not to copper or plastic, and a scratch reveals a gray metal under any paint. We never assume what is in your walls. We look at the pipe where it enters the house, under sinks and in the basement before we recommend anything.
If a galvanized pipe has burst and water is flowing right now, close the main valve and call the 24/7 line. Our burst pipe repair page covers the emergency, and repiping is the long-term fix afterward.
Pipe materials we install
| Material | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Long track record, handles heat, no plastic taste | Higher material cost, can corrode in aggressive water |
| PEX | Flexible, fewer fittings, quick to route through walls | Cannot be used outdoors in sunlight, needs protection from damage |
| CPVC | Lower cost, resists corrosion | Brittle with age, more joints needed |
Material choice depends on your water, your budget and the layout of the house. If you are on a private well, test the water first, because acidic or mineral-heavy water affects pipe life. Ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services about well testing if you have not tested.
How a repipe works, step by step
- Walk-through and planWe trace each supply line, note every fixture and decide which walls need access.
- Shutoff and protectionWe close the main valve, protect floors and set up a clear work path through the house.
- AccessWe open small sections of wall or ceiling, or route new lines through basements and crawlspaces when possible.
- New linesWe install the new supply pipe, new shutoff valves and fixture connections.
- Pressure testWe test the new system under pressure before any wall is closed.
- Closing upWe restore water, test every fixture and tell you which openings need drywall repair.
Most house repipes take several working days, and water is off for part of each day. We plan around your schedule and tell you in advance when you will be without water.
Partial repipe or whole house
A partial repipe replaces one failing run, such as the kitchen and bath line, and leaves newer pipe in place. It costs less now but may mean more work later if the rest of the system is the same age.
A whole house repipe makes sense when most of the system is the same old material and leaks are spreading. We give you both options with clear prices when the layout allows, so you can compare.
What repiping costs
A repipe is a large job, so the price is stated once the scope is clear and before any wall is opened. Cost follows these factors:
- The size of the house and the number of fixtures.
- The pipe material you choose.
- How easy the walls and ceilings are to reach.
- Whether the main water service line also needs work.
- How much drywall or finish repair you want us to coordinate.
Homeowners insurance does not usually cover replacing pipes just because they are old. It may cover sudden water damage from a burst. A whole-house repipe is the kind of job to raise with Building and Zoning Enforcement (603-432-1100, extension 440) before it starts. For your own price, call (603) 815-9179.
Repiping homes in Londonderry and nearby towns
Londonderry has houses from many decades, from older village properties in North Londonderry and Wilson to newer builds near Woodmont Commons. We do not assume what pipe a house has. We check, and we tell you what we find.
If your water comes from the street, ask whether the connection to your house needs replacing too. Our water service line repair page explains that work. We repipe homes in Derry, Windham and Hudson as well.
New supply piping must meet the International Plumbing Code (IPC) for approved materials, sizing and pressure testing, and we plan the layout around those rules.
Questions we hear in Londonderry
A single leak on newer pipe is a repair. Repeat leaks, falling pressure and rust-colored water across the house suggest the system itself is failing. We inspect before we recommend.
Most take several working days depending on size and access. We give you a schedule before we start and tell you when the water will be off.
Usually a few small openings, though basement and crawlspace routing reduces that. We tell you where drywall work is needed and can coordinate it.
PEX made for potable water is widely used in homes. We install pipe rated for drinking water and follow the manufacturer's rules.
Test the water first because it affects pipe choice. Ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services about testing and treatment programs.
Sometimes. If the rest of the pipe is in good shape, a section replacement works. We tell you honestly when the whole system is the same age and likely to fail again.