Repiping and Pipe Replacement in Santa Barbara
Low pressure, rusty water and repeat leaks are how old supply pipes announce they are done. Many older South Coast homes still have galvanized steel lines. Here is how a repipe is usually planned.
The short version
A repipe replaces the supply lines from the main to each fixture. The plan should name the pipe material, the route, how walls will be opened and patched, and the permit.
- Typical asks: old galvanized, repeat pinhole leaks, low pressure
- Ask about: material, route, access, patching, permit
Repiping estimate request
About a minute. Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.
- Signs
- Low pressure, rusty water, repeat leaks, visible corrosion
- Materials
- PEX or copper
- Access
- Attics, crawlspaces and small wall openings
- Permit
- Usually required
Why older pipes fail
Galvanized steel
Galvanized pipe was common in homes built through the middle of the 1900s. The zinc coating wears away, and the steel rusts from the inside, narrowing the pipe and dropping pressure. Rust flakes discolor water and clog aerators. The EPA notes that galvanized pipes can accumulate lead if they were ever downstream of lead pipe or fittings (U.S. EPA, basic information about lead in drinking water).
Copper
Copper usually lasts a long time, but some homes see pinhole leaks from corrosion. A few leaks over a short span often means more are coming.
Early plastics
Some plastic pipe used in past decades has a reputation for failing at fittings. If you know what was installed, mention it.
Choosing a material
- PEX is flexible, so it can be snaked through walls with fewer openings and fewer fittings.
- Copper is rigid and long-proven, and some homeowners prefer it.
How a repipe usually goes
- Plan the route: through the attic or crawlspace, down into walls at each fixture.
- Protect floors and furnishings.
- Run new lines and connect fixtures one area at a time, so water is off for limited periods.
- Pressure-test the new system.
- Inspection, then patching the openings.
Slab homes and hillside homes
Homes on slabs often have pipes under the floor; repiping usually reroutes overhead instead. Hillside homes may have long service lines from the meter, and higher pressure at lower elevations, which makes a pressure regulator worth checking.
Permits and licensing
Repiping usually needs a permit, through the City of Santa Barbara (City of Santa Barbara (building permits and inspections)) or the County of Santa Barbara for unincorporated areas (County of Santa Barbara). Plumbing contractor licenses in California are issued by the CSLB, which has a free license check (California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)).
Sizing up the job: see what shapes a repipe scope on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.
Further reading
- Sewer Laterals on the South Coast
- Older Homes: Galvanized, Cast Iron and Clay Pipe
- Hiring a Plumber in California
Sources for this page: U.S. EPA, basic information about lead in drinking water; City of Santa Barbara (building permits and inspections); County of Santa Barbara; California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Repiping & Pipe Replacement: what people ask
How do I know if I have galvanized pipes?
Galvanized pipe is dull gray steel with threaded fittings. Scratch it with a key; copper shows a penny color, galvanized stays gray.
Is PEX or copper better?
Both are used widely. PEX needs fewer wall openings; copper is rigid and long-proven.
How long does a repipe take?
It depends on the house, but water is usually off only in stretches. Ask for a schedule.
Will walls need to be opened?
Some small openings are usually needed at fixtures. Ask what patching is included.
Do I need a permit to repipe?
Usually, yes.
Repiping requests by town
Water districts, house age, hillside lots and sewer setups change from one community to the next. Pick yours for local notes.
The city
West: Goleta Valley
East: Montecito to Carpinteria
Often planned alongside
Leak Detection & Repair
Finding hidden leaks in walls, ceilings, slabs and yards, then repairing or rerouting the pipe with as little opening up as possible.
Water Heater Repair & Replacement
Repair or replacement of gas and electric tank water heaters, with seismic strapping, venting and expansion tank details handled to code.
Faucets, Sinks & Fixtures
Dripping faucets, worn shut-off valves, new sinks, disposals and shower valves, with water-efficient options.
Planning repiping work?
Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.