From a single pinhole leak to a full whole-house repipe, our Greenville plumbers replace failing galvanized and polybutylene pipes with durable, code-compliant copper or PEX β done clean, with drywall repair included.
Older pipes rarely fail without warning. Here's what to watch for in a Greenville home built before the 1990s.
Discolored water is a telltale sign of corrosion inside galvanized steel pipes, which gradually rust from the inside out.
Repeated pinhole leaks in different spots usually mean the whole pipe system is deteriorating, not just one isolated section.
Corrosion and mineral buildup narrow the inside of aging pipes over time, gradually restricting flow at multiple fixtures.
Galvanized steel typically lasts 40-50 years and polybutylene has a history of premature failure β if your home has either, proactive repiping can prevent a future emergency.
Most Greenville homes we repipe get one of two materials: copper or PEX. Copper is durable, resists bacteria, and has been the standard for decades, though it's more expensive and can still develop pinhole leaks in acidic or mineral-heavy water. PEX is flexible, doesn't corrode, installs faster with fewer joints, and handles freezing far better than rigid copper β a real advantage during the Upstate's occasional cold snaps.
We'll walk you through both options for your specific home and budget rather than pushing one material by default.
| Feature | Copper | PEX |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good, can still pinhole leak | Excellent, doesn't corrode |
| Freeze Resistance | Prone to cracking | Flexes, resists bursting |
| Installation Speed | Slower, requires soldering | Faster, fewer joints |
| Typical Cost | Higher | More affordable |
| Noise | Can "hammer" | Quieter water flow |
Homes built in Greenville before the 1960s often still have the original galvanized steel supply lines, which are well past their expected lifespan and prone to rust and reduced water pressure. Homes built between the mid-1970s and early 1990s sometimes used polybutylene piping, a gray plastic pipe that was popular for its low cost but later found to degrade from contact with chlorine in municipal water, leading to a well-documented pattern of unexpected failures.
If you're not sure what your home has, it's usually visible where pipes enter the water heater or come up through the crawl space, and our team can identify it during a routine inspection. Knowing your pipe material helps us recommend the right timeline for repair versus proactive replacement, rather than waiting for a failure to force the decision.
Cost depends on your home's size, the number of fixtures, and whether you choose copper or PEX. We provide a detailed, written estimate after assessing your specific plumbing layout.
Most residential repipes in Greenville are completed within a few days, depending on the home's size and layout. We coordinate the work to minimize disruption to your daily routine.
Some wall access is typically necessary for a full repipe. Our team makes clean, minimal openings and includes drywall patching as part of the job, so you're not left to coordinate a separate contractor.
If you're dealing with an isolated leak in an otherwise sound pipe system, a targeted repair is usually sufficient. If you've had multiple leaks or your home has galvanized or polybutylene pipe, a full repipe is often more cost-effective long term.
Both are solid choices. PEX is generally more affordable and installs faster, while copper has a longer track record and resists bacteria naturally. We'll help you weigh the trade-offs for your specific home.
Call now for an honest assessment and a written estimate β copper or PEX, your choice.
Call (864) 800-8568