Note to readers: This post was updated on July 16, 2026 to reflect current PEX vs. copper repiping costs and add links to our detailed repiping guides. We refreshed the details below so the advice reflects how we approach this work today.
If your home still has its original copper pipes, or worse, galvanized steel, there’s a good chance you’re closer to a repipe than you think. Western Rooter & Plumbing has repiped homes throughout Pasadena, Arcadia, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley for decades, and we install both copper and PEX depending on what the home actually needs.
Copper vs. PEX: what’s the real difference?
Copper has been the standard for generations. It’s rigid, durable, and resists bacteria growth, but it costs more in materials and labor since every joint has to be soldered. Over 20-40 years, copper pipe can also develop pinhole leaks from water chemistry issues, especially in areas with aggressive water.
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is flexible plastic tubing that’s become the go-to for most repipe jobs. It snakes through walls with fewer joints and fittings, which means less labor and fewer potential leak points. It doesn’t corrode and handles freeze/thaw movement better than rigid copper. On a typical condo or single-family repipe, PEX can save a homeowner a substantial amount compared to an all-copper job, sometimes well over a thousand dollars, without sacrificing water quality or code compliance.
Signs your home may need a repipe
- Discolored water (brown, yellow, or reddish) coming from the tap
- Low water pressure throughout the house, not just one fixture
- Frequent pinhole leaks or repeated small leaks in different spots
- Visible corrosion or green staining on exposed copper pipe
- A home built before the 1980s that’s never been repiped
Any one of these on its own isn’t necessarily an emergency, but a pattern of them usually means the supply lines are on their way out.
What a repipe actually involves
A full repipe means running new supply lines to every fixture in the house, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, water heater, while minimizing drywall and flooring damage. Most jobs can be done in a matter of days depending on the size of the home. We also recommend a sewer video camera line inspection at the same time if the home is older, since supply and drain lines often age together.
What it costs
Repipe pricing depends heavily on square footage, number of fixtures, and accessibility (slab vs. crawlspace vs. attic runs). PEX generally comes in lower than an equivalent all-copper repipe because of reduced labor and material costs. The only way to get an accurate number is a walkthrough, but we’re upfront about pricing before any work starts.
When to call a pro
If you’re seeing more than one of the warning signs above, it’s worth getting a professional opinion before a slow leak turns into a wall full of water damage. We’ve done PEX repiping and copper repiping across the San Gabriel Valley and can walk you through which makes sense for your home, your budget, and how long you plan to stay in it. For a deeper side-by-side, see our breakdown of PEX vs. copper pipes and which saves more money in California, or check the warning signs in 11 warning signs your old copper pipes need immediate attention.
