Copper repiping is the process of refitting the existing pipes in a home or business with new pipes. Typically the existing pipes, which are twenty-five years old or more, are made of galvanized steel. This is iron piping coated with zinc. The zinc begins to corrode after time and rust forms. This can be problematic for several reasons.

As the galvanized pipes begin to corrode and deteriorate even further, the water pressure will decrease dramatically. Water pressure is the force which the water passes through as it comes out of your faucets. This is different from the water volume, which is the amount of water that comes through your faucet during a certain amount of time.

If your washing machine is taking much longer to fill, your shower is just not as powerful as you once remembered, or your garden hose does not shoot water out forcefully, more than likely you are ready to repipe. You also may smell a foul odor coming from your tap, and the tap water may also be discolored due to rust. Finally, you know it is time to repipe when your galvanized pipes begin to leak.

The preferred material to use for repiping is copper. Copper does not rust and is also light in weight and durable. It is also flexible and can be easily bent to fit the area that is being repaired.

Copper repiping involves refitting your existing pipes with these new copper pipes. This is not a do it yourself type of plumbing project. You will want to call your professional plumbers to make sure the job is done correctly the first time.