Most homes built before 1985 in the North Bay still have original galvanized steel pipes — and those pipes have a finite lifespan.
Repiping isn't the kind of thing homeowners think about until something goes wrong. But catching the warning signs early can save you from water damage, mold, and a much bigger bill down the road. Here's what to look for and what to expect if your home needs it.
Below are 5 Warning Signs Your Home Needs Repiping:
Brown, yellow, or rust-colored water coming from your faucets — especially when you first turn them on in the morning — is a sign of corroding pipes. If the discoloration happens on both hot and cold lines, the problem is likely your supply pipes, not your water heater.
If your water pressure has gradually dropped over the years, mineral buildup and corrosion inside the pipes may be restricting flow.
This is especially common in galvanized steel pipes, where rust and scale accumulate on the interior walls over decades.
One leak is a repair. Three leaks in two years is a pattern. When pipes corrode, they don’t fail in one spot — the entire system is degrading. Patching individual leaks on aging pipes is like plugging holes in a dam that’s crumbling from the inside.
Check the pipes you can see — under sinks, in the basement, in the garage, near the water heater. Green staining on copper pipes or flaking rust on galvanized pipes means corrosion is active. If the visible pipes look bad, the ones inside your walls likely look wors
Many Sonoma County homes from this era were plumbed with galvanized steel. These pipes have a useful life of 40–70 years, which means many are at or past the end of their lifespan. Some older homes may also have lead solder joints, which pose a health concern regardless of pipe condition.
When you repipe a home, you're choosing what material replaces the old pipes. Here's what we typically see and recommend in Sonoma County:
| Material | Pros | Cons | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized Steel (what you're replacing) | Durable when new | Corrodes from inside, restricts flow, may contain lead solder | Common in pre-1985 homes |
| Copper | Long lifespan (50+ years), proven track record, resists bacteria | Higher material cost, can be affected by acidic water | Standard for decades, still excellent |
| PEX | Flexible, fast to install, resistant to freezing, lower cost | Can't be used outdoors (UV sensitive), newer material with less long-term data | Increasingly common in remodels and new construction |
We install both copper and PEX. The right choice depends on your home's layout, your budget, and local code requirements. We'll walk you through the tradeoffs during your estimate.
| Home Size | Approximate Cost (PEX) | Approximate Cost (Copper) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bathroom, 1,000 sq ft | $4,000–$6,000 | $5,500–$8,000 |
| 2 bathrooms, 1,500 sq ft | $5,500–$9,000 | $7,000–$12,000 |
| 3+ bathrooms, 2,000+ sq ft | $8,000–$12,000 | $10,000–$15,000+ |
These are estimates for 2025–2026 in Sonoma and Marin County. Final pricing depends on pipe accessibility, number of fixtures, and whether drywall or flooring needs to be opened and repaired.
A whole-house repipe typically takes 2–5 days depending on the home’s size and complexity. Here’s the general sequence:
Day 1: We protect your floors and furniture, then open access points in walls and ceilings to reach the old pipes.
Days 2–3: Old pipes come out, new pipes go in. We connect each fixture — sinks, showers, toilets, water heater, outdoor hose bibs — to the new system.
Day 4–5: Pressure testing, inspection, and patching of access points. We coordinate with the county for the required permit inspection.
Your water will be off during portions of the work, but we plan around your schedule and get it back on as quickly as possible each day.
Let the local experts handle it. West Coast Plumbing has been serving Sonoma County homes and businesses with fast, friendly, and reliable service for years. Schedule your Fall Plumbing Checkup today and enjoy a worry-free winter.
Let the local experts handle it. West Coast Plumbing has been serving Sonoma & Marin County homes and businesses with fast, friendly, and reliable service for years. Schedule your Fall Plumbing Checkup today and enjoy a worry-free home.
