Repipe Services | Seattle, WA | Raymark Plumbing & Sewer

A repipe is a common plumbing service we perform in Seattle and is a complete replacement of the water lines inside your home. A repipe is a common plumbing service in which all of the existing pipes in your home are completely replaced. Repipes are usually needed when old plumbing pipes deteriorate and corrode.

Galvanized iron pipes, also called galvanized pipes, are actually steel pipes coated with a layer of zinc. The zinc was added to extend the life of the pipe but it contained lead and other metals. These pipes were commonly installed in homes built in Seattle before 1970.
Corrosion and lead are the main concerns with galvanized pipes. Lead can also be found in the connections to the city’s lead pipes in the street.
As pipes corrode over time, rust debris forms and reduce the diameter of the pipe. This can reduce the water flow to your fixtures and can create water quality issues. In addition, the corrosion can cause galvanized pipes to leak and can cause water damage to your property.

Test your pipes to see if they are galvanized by placing a magnet on a bit of exposed pipe in your home. A magnet will stick to the galvanized pipe. Magnets won’t stick to copper or plastic pipes.

Pipe Replacement

When a home goes through a remodel, especially in the kitchen, homeowners choose to replace only the galvanized pipes in this area of the home. Raymark Plumbing & Sewer recommends replacing all of the pipes in your home at once rather than performing a partial replacement.

The vibration can also disturb corroded pipes in interior walls and potentially cause a leak. Due to this potential loosening, we can’t guarantee the outcome when a partial replacement is done. It is also more cost-effective to replace all water lines at one time. For these reasons, a partial repipe is not recommended.

Also, the installation of new faucets and valves can inadvertently cause pipe damage and leaks. Therefore, we recommend replacing old galvanized lines before installing new faucets.

If you are looking for a partial replacement due to a better quality of water, a water filter may be a better solution. Please see our Water Filter page for more information.

Pipe Longevity

Your water supply lines bring in fresh water. These older water lines weren’t built to last forever. A replacement of your home’s fresh water supply lines ensures cleaner water and sturdy, dependable pipes. A repipe should last the life of your home.

Call Raymark Plumbing & Sewer and one of our experienced plumbers will assess your current water lines and give you a quote for a repipe.

Schedule your Raymark Plumbing & Sewer appointment today by calling (206) 440-9077 or complete our Contact form.

Repipe Services FAQs

A repipe is the complete replacement of all the water lines inside your home. Homeowners usually replace old galvanized lines with PEX or copper. As a result, they improve water quality and have less risk of corrosion and leaks.

Copper or PEX pipes are recommended by Raymark Plumbing & Sewer. PEX is Cross Linked Polyethylene water tubing. It has proven to be resilient, reliable, and not prone to leaks. Copper is the hardiest option but is more costly due to the price of copper and the additional time needed.

Galvanized and copper metals must have brass between them to prevent electrolysis. Electrolysis is a chemical reaction between two incompatible metals. When dissimilar metals make contact, a pinhole leak occurs at the point of contact or down the line and it will expand over time. Therefore, we recommend your lines are the same metal or that preventions are put in place.

Repipe Services in Seattle, WA

Pipe Replacement

Pipe Longevity

Repipe Services FAQs

What is a repipe?

What kind of pipes do I get when I do a repipe?

I have some galvanized and some copper lines. Is having both a problem?