What is pipe replacement?
Pipe replacement means removing damaged, corroded or outdated water pipes and installing new ones. That can be a single run, such as the line that froze and burst, or the entire supply system, which is known as repiping. It's the long-term fix when repairs keep failing, when a home still has galvanized steel or lead pipe, or when pipes are routed somewhere they'll keep freezing.
When replacement makes more sense than repair
- The same area keeps leaking or bursting, with repeated freezes on the same run or repeated pinholes in copper
- The home has galvanized steel supply pipe. It corrodes from the inside, narrowing the pipe and cutting pressure.
- Rusty or discolored water that doesn't clear after running the tap
- Low water pressure throughout the house not explained by a single fixture
- A lead service line bringing water into the house
- A remodel that opens up walls anyway, which makes it a good time to replace old pipe
For a single break, a spot repair is usually all that's needed. Our main page on burst pipe repair services in Elmhurst covers how those are handled.
How to tell what your pipes are made of
You can often identify pipe material where the water line comes into the basement, near the meter:
| Material | What it looks like | Quick test |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Color of a penny; may have green or brown patches | Scratches to a shiny copper color; a magnet won't stick |
| Galvanized steel | Dull silver-gray, threaded joints | A magnet sticks |
| Lead | Dull gray, often with a bulb-shaped joint | Soft; scratches easily to shiny silver; a magnet won't stick |
| PEX | Flexible plastic tubing, often red, blue or white | Bends; fittings are crimped or pressed |
If you think you have a lead service line, don't scrape it hard. Contact your water utility and a plumber.
Lead service lines in Illinois
Illinois passed the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act in 2021. It requires community water systems to inventory the service lines in their area and to replace lead service lines over time. If you're not sure whether your home has one, the City of Elmhurst's water department, or your own village's water department if you live nearby, can tell you what its inventory shows and whether a replacement program applies. A plumber can confirm the material on your side of the line and coordinate the work.
Section replacement vs. whole-house repiping
| Section replacement | Whole-house repipe | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A run that froze, burst or leaks repeatedly | Galvanized or widely failing pipe; major remodels |
| Scope | One line or area | All supply lines from the main to the fixtures |
| Disruption | Usually limited to one area | Access openings in several rooms; water off for longer periods |
| Permit | Sometimes | Commonly required |
What a pipe replacement job involves
- Assessment: the plumber inspects the existing pipe, water pressure and problem areas, then recommends a scope.
- Plan and permits: the material (PEX and copper are the most common choices), the route, and any permits the city requires.
- Access: openings in drywall or ceilings where the new pipe needs to run. Good planning keeps these small.
- Installation and testing: new pipe is installed, connected and pressure-tested, and old lines are capped or removed.
- Inspection and patching: a city inspection if a permit was pulled. Drywall patching is often done by a separate contractor, so ask whether it's included.
When the pipes being replaced are ones that froze, ask the plumber about rerouting them away from exterior walls and unheated spaces. Moving a line a few feet is often what stops the next frozen pipe.
What affects the cost of pipe replacement
The cost of replacing pipes depends on how much pipe is involved, the material chosen, how many fixtures are being connected, how hard it is to reach the pipe runs, and whether permits and wall repairs are included. Get the scope and the price in writing, and compare like with like if you get more than one quote. Our cost guide explains how repair and replacement pricing differ.