You surely don’t think about your pipes until something goes wrong. A leak in the ceiling. A drop in water pressure. Rusty water is coming out of the tap. At first, it feels like separate issues. You fix one, then another. But these aren’t isolated problems you can keep patching—they usually point to one main culprit: your pipes.
Book Your Repipe ConsultationBut is it worth it to repipe your entire house?
Yes, it does. If your pipes are aging, the money you’re spending on repairs and increased water bills outweighs the cost of replacing them. The sooner you do, the better.
Not every plumbing issue you face requires tearing out all your pipes. But if you’re dealing with multiple symptoms happening simultaneously, your entire system is likely failing.
Compare Your Situation and See What Solution Fits You Best
| What You Notice | Partial Repair | Whole-House Repiping | Do Nothing |
| Frequent leaks in different locations | You fix leaks as they appear, but the issue may return within months | You replace all aging pipes to prevent future leaks | You continue paying for emergency repairs as the water damage grows |
| Rusty water from multiple taps | You replace visible pipe sections, but discoloration often returns | You install new piping throughout and get crystal-clear water | You keep drinking and bathing in water contaminated with rust and lead |
| Low water pressure | You replace clogged sections and see a temporary improvement | You replace the system fully, restoring proper flow and pressure | Showers remain weak, appliances fill slowly, and hot water runs out too quickly |
| Temperature fluctuations | You adjust valves, but it doesn’t help because the system is unbalanced | Your new pipes keep water temperature stable | You keep getting sudden shifts from hot to cold during showers |
| Banging, rattling pipes | You install arrestors to reduce noise, but pipes may still rattle | Your new pipes are made of modern materials that dampen vibration | You keep hearing a constant noise while the pipes keep loosening over time |
If you notice 3 or more symptoms, partial repairs are just delaying the inevitable. Your pipes will continue corroding. Leaks will happen more frequently, in more locations, often in places you can’t easily access or even see.
The only question is whether you’ll address it now or wait until you have no other choice.
When it’s time to repipe, you’ll almost always choose between copper and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene).
They’re both excellent options, but they suit different homes, different budgets, and different priorities. Let’s break them down.
| Category | Copper Pipes | PEX Pipes |
| Lifespan | 50–70+ years (can last longer in stable water conditions) | 40–50+ years (depends on temperature and UV exposure) |
| UV & heat resistance | UV-resistant and handles temperatures up to 200°C+ | Not UV-resistant and must be kept out of sunlight |
| Corrosion & scale resistance | Can corrode in acidic water and may develop internal scaling over time | Resistant to corrosion and scale buildup |
| Hot & cold water use | Gold standard for all temperature lines | Fully certified for hot and cold systems |
| Cost (materials & installation) | Higher material cost and significantly higher installation cost | Affordable (30–50% less than copper) |
| Freeze resistance | Rigid pipes can burst at -1°C | Highly flexible and expands without cracking |
| Pressure & temperature performance | Excellent performance under high pressure and extreme temperatures | Reliable performance for residential use |
| Repair & modification | More difficult to modify and requires cutting and soldering | Easier to repair and modify |
Copper is the premium choice if you want a time-tested, 70-year solution or have exposed pipes where aesthetics and UV resistance are a priority.
PEX is more affordable and resistant to the acidic corrosion often found in well water. Plus, it’s nearly “burst-proof” during Ontario freezes.
In some cases, you can use both: copper where it matters most (like exposed or high-heat areas) and PEX everywhere else for efficiency and cost savings.
A whole-house repipe typically takes 3 to 7 days, depending on your home’s size and the complexity of the project.
Here’s how it works:
Day 1. Assessment, water shutoff & system drain
A plumber maps your existing system using your home’s blueprints and a camera. They identify every run of pipe, every fixture connection, and access point. Then they shut off the main water supply at the meter and drain the entire plumbing system.
Day 1-3. Old pipe removal
Once everything is prepared, a plumber opens sections of drywall, ceilings, and sometimes flooring to reach pipe runs. This isn’t demolition, typically, 15–30 cm access panels are cut, not full walls. Then the existing pipes are cut out and removed.
Day 3-6. New pipe installation
This step might take even longer. A plumber runs new PEX or copper pipe through the wall cavities, following the same routing as the old system. Then, all pipes are secured with appropriate hangers and strapping and connected to fixtures and appliances.
Day 6-7. Pressure testing and inspection
Before walls are closed, a plumber tests the new system, filling it with water and holding it at above-normal pressure for a set period to identify any weak joints, pinhole leaks, or improper connections.
Once the main job is finished, a building inspector visits the site to review the installation against code before the walls are closed. This is another mandatory step that cannot be skipped.
Let’s be honest: the question isn’t really whether to repipe, it’s when, and how long you can wait.
If your home is over 20 years old and still has its original plumbing, you’re likely living with pipes that are either past their lifespan or approaching it fast.
New pipes mean clean water from day one, no rust, no metallic taste, no brown trickle from the tap when you run two fixtures at once.
If done right, a whole-home repipe is one of the best investments you can make. It solves a problem that only gets more expensive the longer it waits. Moreover, it can make your home more attractive to buyers and potentially increase its value when it comes time to sell.
