Should I Repipe or Keep Patching Leaks?
One leak in good pipe is a repair. Several leaks in old pipe are a pattern. Angi's guide to repiping names the signs that usually tip the choice: pipes more than 50 to 60 years old, galvanized or lead pipe, polybutylene, repeated leaks after patching, and corrosion or discolored water.
No guide gives a hard line between the two, and we cannot give you one by phone. We look at the pipe, count the leaks and tell you what we see. The table below shows how the evidence usually points.
| What we find | Spot repair fits when | Repipe fits when |
|---|---|---|
| One pinhole in copper | The rest of the pipe looks sound inside and out | More pinholes show up within a year or two |
| Galvanized steel | Rarely. It rusts from the inside out | Pressure drops or water runs brown |
| Polybutylene (gray plastic) | Almost never as a long-term plan | It was installed between 1978 and 1995, and fittings are failing or unknown |
| Leaks after patching | A single patch is holding on a fresh section | A second or third leak appears on the same system |
| Discolored water at every tap | Only the water heater is the source | Pipe corrosion is the cause |
Polybutylene: The 1978 to 1995 Pipe
WRAL reports that polybutylene pipe was used in homes from about 1978 to 1995 and is usually gray. A 1995 class-action settlement, reported at $120 million nationwide, covered polybutylene with acetal insert fittings. The fund has long since stopped taking new claims in practice, so check with a lawyer before assuming one is possible.
The Dania Beach median build year of 1977 sits right at the start of that window. Half the homes are older than that, so some predate polybutylene entirely and others were built or remodeled while it was in use. We cannot tell you by phone which pipe you have. Look at the pipe where it enters the water heater, and we will confirm.
PEX-A or Copper: Picking the Pipe
Both materials work. PEX-A is flexible plastic tubing joined with cold-expansion rings, so it bends around corners and needs fewer fittings. Copper is rigid metal soldered or pressed at each joint. PEX-A is faster to install and costs less per foot. Copper lasts longer in sunlight and can be exposed.
PEX must stay out of direct sun, because ultraviolet light weakens it. We keep it inside walls or covered, and use copper where a line must sit in sun.
| Point | PEX-A | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per foot, national guides | $0.40 to $2 in one guide, $1.50 to $4 in another | $2 to $8 in one guide, $4 to $12 in another |
| Installation | Flexible, fewer joints, easier in finished walls | Rigid, many soldered or pressed joints |
| Sunlight | Must be shielded from UV | Fine when exposed |
| Known concerns | UV damage if left exposed | Pinhole leaks have been reported in some homes, and the cause is disputed |
Getting to the Pipes in a Slab Home
Most Florida houses have no basement, and pipes under the concrete are out of reach. We leave old slab lines capped and run new lines through the attic and down inside interior walls. That works well on a single-story house and is harder in a two-story one.
Expect small drywall openings in closets, behind toilets and above cabinets. We patch each opening, but texture and paint matching is a separate finishing step. Ask about a phased approach if you live in the house.
Condos, Mobile Homes and Rentals
Only 21.7 percent of Dania Beach housing units are detached single-family homes. In a condo, the association decides which risers and valves you can touch. A mobile home, about 12.4 percent of local units, has a different floor and wall build, so tell us what you have.
Landlords can ask us to list the pipe material, location and age of each branch so a repipe plan fits the building. For a small leak first, our leak detection service can tell you whether the whole system needs work.
Permits and the Florida Building Code
The Florida Building Code, Plumbing (8th Edition, 2023, based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code, IPC), applies to new supply piping. Permit rules vary, so ask the Dania Beach Building Division what your address needs, since we cannot decide that for you.
If a repipe follows a slab leak, we plan the new lines so the old route is abandoned cleanly. Water chemistry is another question. The city softens its water with lime and nanofiltration and disinfects with chlorine, but ask your water utility or test your tap if you see staining.
What to Check Before You Decide
These steps give a clearer picture before any quote.
- Look at exposed pipe near the water heater and note the color and material.
- Count past leaks and write down where each was.
- Note the year the house was built or last repiped.
- Run the hot and cold taps and check for brown or cloudy water.
- Check water pressure at the farthest bathroom.
- Ask your insurer and association what they require.
What Repiping Costs in South Florida
National published guides put whole-house repiping at about $1,500 to $15,000 in one guide, with most homes near $7,500. Another guide gives $3,000 to $16,000 for a 2,000 square foot house. Florida prices vary, and we have no Broward-specific figure to quote.
What moves the price
- House size. More fixtures and more feet of pipe raise labor and material.
- Number of floors. A second story adds routing work and access openings.
- Pipe material. PEX-A is usually cheaper than copper per foot.
- Wall and ceiling access. Finished plaster or tile costs more to open and patch.
- Permits and fixtures. Old shutoff valves often need replacement during the job.
| Work | Published range |
|---|---|
| Whole-house repipe, one national guide | $1,500 to $15,000, most near $7,500 |
| Whole-house repipe, 2,000 sq ft, another guide | $3,000 to $16,000 |
| PEX per foot, labor included, two guides | $0.40 to $4 |
Policies differ. Insurance seldom pays to replace pipe that is simply old, though a sudden break may be covered. Ask your insurer what is included and whether a repipe affects your premium.
A real number depends on the house and the route. Call (954) 697-4920, describe what you see, and we will explain what a plan would involve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my house has polybutylene pipe?
Look at the pipe near the water heater or where it enters the house. It is usually gray plastic. If you are not sure, take a photo and call us. We cannot confirm by phone.
Is a repipe worth it, or should I fix leaks one at a time?
It depends on pipe age, material and how often leaks return. One leak in sound pipe is a repair. Repeated leaks in old pipe tend to point toward replacement. We show you the pipe before you decide.
How long does a repipe take?
Most take a few days for a house, with water off for part of each day. We cannot give a fixed time before we see the layout. Condos and two-story homes can take longer.
I own a rental near Dania. Do you repipe there?
We serve Dania Beach and nearby Davie, and we can phase the work around tenants. Call (954) 697-4920 and tell us the number of units and bathrooms.
Code reference: plumbing work in Florida falls under the Florida Building Code, Plumbing (8th Edition, 2023), which is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Ask the Dania Beach Building Division whether your job needs a permit.