Signs your pipes are ready for replacement
No single sign settles it, but a pattern does.
| Sign | What it suggests | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Rusty or brown water | Corroding galvanized or iron pipe | Pipe test and water test. |
| Low pressure at every tap | Mineral buildup or corrosion inside pipe | Pressure test and inspection. |
| Repeated pinhole leaks | Widespread pipe wall thinning | Camera or visual review of exposed pipe. |
| Green stains on copper fittings | External corrosion | Fitting and pipe check. |
| Several repairs within a year or two | System is wearing out | Repipe estimate. |
One-off leaks are covered under leak detection and burst pipe repair.
Galvanized, copper, CPVC and PEX
Each material has strengths and limits, and your home's condition and budget set the choice.
| Material | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | Found in older homes | Corrodes inside and restricts flow, replace rather than repair. |
| Copper | Long record and good heat tolerance | Higher material cost and pinholes in some water. |
| CPVC | Lower cost and no corrosion | Can become brittle with age and heat. |
| PEX | Flexible, fewer fittings, easy routing | Not for sun exposure and needs the right fittings. |
We explain which is best for your house and water, and we do not push one material on every job.
Water quality, hardness and pipe life
Water chemistry affects pipe life. Hard water leaves scale that narrows pipe, and aggressive water can eat copper. The Town of Florence Consumer Confidence Report for 2025 does not list a hardness figure, so test your tap or ask your utility for its annual report. EPCOR's San Tan system report lists hardness of 15 to 18 grains per gallon.
Whatever the pipe, knowing your water helps choose between a softener, a filter or no treatment at all. See water softener and filtration for the next step.
Sources: Town of Florence 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, EPCOR 2025 San Tan water quality report.
Considering a repipe?
Call us with the age of the home and what your pipes are doing. We will test the system and explain the options.
Call (480) 741-9332How a repipe works and what to expect in the house
A repipe is a project, so planning matters.
- Survey.We trace the existing lines and decide where the new ones will run.
- Access.We open small sections of drywall or use attic and crawl space routes to limit damage.
- Install.New pipes go in with new shutoffs, and fixtures are reconnected.
- Test.We pressure test the system before closing walls.
- Patch.Access holes are patched to rough finish. Texture and paint are a separate trade.
Water is usually off during the day while we work. We plan around your schedule and tell you in advance.
Whole-house or partial repipe
Sometimes only part of a system needs replacement. A single branch to a bathroom may be the problem. A full repipe is a stronger fix when the whole system shows wear. We explain the trade-off, and you pick the plan.
A phased repipe spreads cost across stages, but it means more disruption overall. We discuss that honestly, and we do not recommend a full repipe when tests do not support it.
Permits and inspection
Repiping is usually a permitted job. Ask the building department that covers your address. In the Town of Florence that is Community Development at 224 W. 20th Street, 520-868-7575. Pinal County Building Safety at 85 N Florence Street handles unincorporated areas, and for San Tan Valley the County handles building permits and inspections under its agreement with the Town.
Sources: Town of Florence, Pinal County.
What repiping costs and what moves the price
You get a written price before work starts.
More fixtures and longer runs mean more pipe and labor.
PEX, CPVC and copper are priced differently.
Attic and crawl space routes are cheaper than opening finished walls.
Patching is separate from plumbing.
Multi-story homes with many baths need more time.
Want your real number? Call (480) 741-9332 and tell us about the house.
Code note: approved pipe and permits
The UPC and IPC list approved materials such as copper, CPVC and PEX for water supply piping. Repiping is normally a permitted project with pressure testing and inspection, and we explain who pulls the permit.
Repiping in Florence and nearby towns
We repipe homes in town, along Hunt Highway and in the Townsite area, and dispatch also covers Coolidge and San Tan Valley.
Questions about repiping in Florence
Repeated leaks, rusty water, and low pressure throughout the home are the main signs. We test the system and show you what we find.
A typical house can take a few days. Larger or two-story homes take longer. We give you a schedule before we start.
We limit openings by using attics, crawl spaces and closets. Some openings are needed, and we patch them to rough finish.
Neither is better in every case. PEX is flexible and cost-effective. Copper has a long track record. We explain which fits your home.
Yes. A partial repipe is possible when the problem is limited to one branch.
Usually not for normal wear. Ask your agent about coverage for resulting water damage.