Galvanized steel and lead service lines were standard in many older Oakland County homes, and both have a shelf life. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside until pressure drops and water discolors; lead is a health concern the state is actively pushing to remove. Repiping replaces the whole problem instead of chasing one pinhole leak after another.
We assess your existing lines, water pressure, and water quality, then lay out a staged plan — a targeted section or a full repipe — using modern copper or PEX. Where possible we fish new lines through existing chases to keep wall and finish repair to a minimum, and we handle the permit and inspection throughout.
Repair, partial repipe, or whole-home repipe?
Chasing one pinhole leak after another gets expensive. When the pipe material itself has failed, replacing it is cheaper long-term — but not every home needs a full repipe. We assess before we recommend.
Targeted repair
A single failure on otherwise sound pipe is worth a spot repair. We fix it and keep an eye on the rest of the run.
Best for: An isolated leak on newer, sound piping
Partial repipe
When one zone or material is failing — an old galvanized branch, say — we replace just those runs in copper or PEX.
Best for: One failing section or material in the home
Whole-home repipe
Discolored water, dropping pressure, and repeated leaks mean the supply lines are done. A full repipe ends the cycle for good.
Best for: Failing galvanized or lead lines throughout
What we assess before repiping
- Pipe material — galvanized, lead, old copper, or a mix
- Water quality: discoloration, metallic taste, or sediment
- Water pressure and how much it has dropped over time
- Leak history — how often you are patching pinholes
- Routing new lines through existing chases to minimize wall openings
- Copper vs. PEX for your layout, plus the permit and inspection
When to call us for repiping
Discolored or metallic water
Brown or rusty water and a metallic taste point to corroding galvanized pipe on its way out.
Chronic low water pressure
Galvanized lines narrow with corrosion over time, steadily choking flow at every fixture.
Repeated pinhole leaks
When you are patching leaks every few months, the pipe material itself has failed and repiping is cheaper long-term.
Known lead or galvanized service line
If your home still has lead or old galvanized supply lines, replacement protects both water quality and pressure.
What's included in our repiping
Every repiping job is a complete, documented service — not a quick patch. Here's what you can expect when our licensed team is on site.
- An assessment of pipe material, water quality, pressure, and leak history
- A copper-vs-PEX recommendation matched to your layout and budget
- New lines fished through existing chases and closets to minimize openings
- The Michigan permit pulled and the inspection scheduled
- A pressure test of the new system before it goes into service
- Patching of the access points we open as part of the scope
Our process
- 1
Assess lines & water quality
We inspect materials, pressure, and problem areas to determine whether a partial or whole-home repipe is right.
- 2
Material & routing plan
We recommend copper or PEX and map routes that reuse existing chases to minimize wall openings.
- 3
Permit & phased install
We pull the permit and stage the work to keep water available to your home as much as possible.
- 4
Test, inspect & finish
We pressure-test, pass inspection, and patch the access points we opened.
What affects the price
We never post fake prices. Here's what actually drives the cost — and we put the real number in writing before any work begins.
- Partial section vs. whole-home repipe.
- Number of fixtures and floors served.
- Pipe material — copper vs. PEX.
- Access: open basement runs vs. fishing through finished walls.
- Permit, inspection, and finish/drywall repair.
Why Bloomfield Hills homeowners choose Bloomfield Hills Plumbing for repiping
We've served Bloomfield Hills and Oakland County for over 17 years, hold a 4.9-star rating across 138 reviews, and back every job with a licensed Michigan master plumber. Here's what that means for your repiping.
We repipe, not chase leaks
When galvanized or lead lines are failing, patching one pinhole after another wastes money. A staged repipe ends the cycle and restores your pressure.
Minimal wall damage
We route new lines through existing chases wherever possible and open only what’s necessary — then patch the access points as part of the job.
Water you can trust
Replacing old galvanized and lead service lines protects your family’s water quality, not just your pressure — and we explain every step.
Water stays on
We stage the work to keep water available to your home as much as possible, so a whole-home repipe doesn’t mean days without a working sink.
Pipe Replacement & Repiping FAQs
Warning signs include discolored water, steadily dropping pressure, repeated pinhole leaks, and known galvanized or lead lines. We assess the pipe material, water quality, and pressure and tell you whether a targeted repair or a full repipe is the smarter investment.
Both are excellent. Copper is time-proven and rigid; PEX is flexible, freeze-tolerant, and often faster to route through finished homes. We recommend based on your layout, budget, and preferences and explain the trade-offs honestly.
We minimize openings by fishing new lines through existing chases and closets wherever possible, and we open only what is necessary. Our scope includes patching the access points we make.
Yes — lead service lines are a health concern, and Michigan is actively working to remove them statewide. Replacing the line protects your water quality and usually restores pressure the old line had lost. We assess it and explain the process before any work.
Most homes can be repiped in a few days, depending on size and access. We stage the work to keep water available as much as possible, pull the permit, pass inspection, and patch the access points we opened.