Repiping replaces the supply lines that bring water to your fixtures. Older houses in Salem may have galvanized steel installed decades ago, mixed with copper and a few newer plastic sections added during remodels. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside, which narrows it and sheds rust, so pressure drops and water turns brown even when the street supply is fine.
If a pipe is leaking right now, start with burst pipe repair. If the leaks keep coming from different places, a repipe may cost less than a series of repairs, and this page explains how that decision works.
Warning signs.
Signs your pipes are due for replacement.
Brown or rust water.
Rust from galvanized pipe, mostly in the morning or after the water has sat.
Low pressure everywhere.
Narrowed pipe restricts flow. It often gets worse over years.
Repeat pinhole leaks.
A second or third leak in the same run means the whole run is thinning.
Blue-green stains or pitting on copper.
Corrosion on copper or at fittings can lead to pinholes.
Pipes failing one at a time?.
Call to talk about a full or phased repipe.
Materials.
Copper or PEX: which to choose.
| Factor | Copper | PEX |
|---|---|---|
| Durability. | Long-lived, handles heat and pressure well. | Flexible, resists scale and tolerates some freezing. |
| Install effort. | Soldered or pressed joints, more labor. | Fewer joints, runs from a manifold, less wall opening. |
| Corrosion risk. | Can pit in aggressive water. | Not subject to pitting. |
| Cost. | Typically higher in material. | Typically lower in material and labor. |
| Code and approval. | Standard under Massachusetts plumbing code. | Approved for potable water under the state plumbing code when installed correctly. |
For many Salem homes, PEX is a practical choice because it can be fished through walls with smaller openings, which helps in plaster houses. Copper is preferred by some owners who want a traditional material. Your plumber should explain the trade-offs for your layout, not only the price.
Local conditions.
Repiping an older Salem house.
Salem has a large stock of houses from the 1700s through the early 1900s, including many rebuilt after the Great Salem Fire of 1914, which destroyed 1,376 buildings. Those houses have been renovated by successive owners, so the plumbing is often a patchwork. A repipe usually starts with a survey of what is there.
Plaster and lath walls, historic trim and tight chases make access the main difficulty. In the Chestnut Street and Salem Common districts, original woodwork may be protected by district rules, so plan the layout before cutting. A phased repipe, where one floor is done at a time, can spread the cost and the disruption. Ask about it.
Repiping also gives the chance to add shutoff valves at each fixture, and to correct failed supplies at the water heater. If you are replacing the water heater at the same time, a water heater installation can be coordinated with the new lines.
Standards.
Code, permits and safety for repiping.
Pipe repairs and replacements follow 248 CMR 10.00, the Massachusetts plumbing code. A permit and inspection may apply to larger repairs, so confirm with Salem Inspectional Services at 978-619-5641.
What to do before we arrive.
- Close the main water valve, usually near the meter, if water is flowing.
- Switch off power to wet areas only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Photograph the damage before you move things, and call your insurer.
Pricing.
What repiping costs.
Repiping is priced to the house, not by a flat rate. These factors set the number.
Homeowner insurance generally does not pay to replace worn pipe, only damage from a sudden burst. You get a clear price before work starts. For your real number, call (339) 216-9771.
Historic homes.
Neighborhood notes.
In historic houses, such as those in the McIntire District and Chestnut Street, repiping calls for careful routing and a check with the city before any exterior change.
FAQs.
Repiping questions from Salem homeowners.
Repeated leaks in different places, brown water and low pressure throughout point to a repipe. One failed joint is a repair.
Many are done in a few days for a typical house. Plaster walls and phased work add time.
Water will be off for stretches of the day, so many people arrange to be away during that time. Your plumber can plan the shutoffs.
PEX is approved for potable water under plumbing codes when installed correctly. Your plumber can explain the details.
Call the 24/7 line. A burst is handled first, and the repipe plan can follow.
All of Salem, including Downtown, Salem Neck, North and South Salem, Salem Willows and the Highland Avenue area, in ZIP codes 01970 and 01971, plus nearby Beverly.