Copper Repiping San Diego: Fix Leaks and Improve Pressure
If your home has rusty water, low pressure, or recurring leaks, it’s time to consider a copper repipe. At American Plumbing Co. | Plumber in San Diego, we provide expert copper repiping for homes. Backed by 5-Star Reviews and trusted across San Diego, we’re the team to call when it’s time to repipe with confidence.
With over 40 years of experience, we replace old under-slab lines with durable copper piping for stronger water flow and long-lasting reliability.
Why San Diego Homes Need Copper Repiping
In San Diego, most homes built before the mid-1990s have under the slab copper or polybutylene (Quest) or early-generation PEX piping. These materials break down fast in our region’s hard water and coastal air, leading to pinhole leaks, rusty water, and constant pressure fluctuations.
We’ve repiped homes across neighborhoods like Clairemont and Chula Vista, where pipes failed early even after leak repairs. New Copper solves the root of the issue for 40-50 years:
- Hard water resistant — Copper stands up to scale, unlike PEX and galvanized.
- Corrosion-proof — No rust, no buildup, no flakes in your tap
- Stable pressure — No more surging water or uneven faucet flow
- Better longevity — A proper copper repipe lasts for years or more, with fewer emergency repairs.
If you’ve already replaced shut-off valves, dealt with constant water heater issues, or patched slab leaks multiple times, your plumbing system is telling you it’s time. Copper isn’t a trend. It’s what lasts
Signs You Need a Repipe in San Diego?
Most homeowners in San Diego are unaware that they need a full repipe until the damage is already done. Pipe leaks, weak pressure, and rusty water are just symptoms of a larger issue. Here’s how to spot the real problem before it costs you thousands in repairs:
1. You're Fixing Leaks Every Year
If you’ve experienced more than one leak in the past 12 months, especially from PEX or old Quest plastic piping, your plumbing system Leaks may not be isolated. It’s failing. Temporary repairs won’t hold forever.
2. Water Pressure Drops Without Warning
Inconsistent or low water pressure typically indicates corrosion or mineral buildup within old copper pipes. The issue won’t clear up with a new low-flow showerhead..
3. Your House Was Built Before 1995
Most homes built before 1995 used under-the-slab piping, or plastic piping, which degrades faster than modern copper. If you’re seeing signs and your house is approaching 30 years old, don’t ignore it.
4. Discolored, Metallic-Tasting Water
Is brown or yellow water coming from the taps? That’s internal pipe corrosion. If you’ve ruled out the water heater, it’s the pipe walls themselves flaking into your water.
5. Your Slab Has Been Jackhammered Before
Have you already gone through a slab leak repair? That’s a warning shot. When underground pipes fail once, the rest usually follow copper repiping to avoid future breakage and water damage.
6. Water Heater and Fixture Problems Keep Returning
Scaling, clogs, and early water heater burnout are often traced back to failing pipes. If you’ve replaced your toilet, water heater, or shut-off valves more than once, it’s time to check what’s feeding them.
How Our Copper Repipe Works Start to Finish
When it’s time to repipe, precision matters. We don’t just rip out old pipes and replace them with copper; we follow a clean, efficient process designed to minimize disruption and maximize long-term performance. Here’s how a typical copper repipe works when you hire us in San Diego:
- In-Home Inspection & Quote: We begin with a complete walkthrough of your plumbing system. Our team checks for visible pipe wear, the condition of shut-off valves, previous repairs, signs of slab leaks, and any DIY modifications that may impact the layout. Based on our findings, we provide a fixed, written quote with no upsells, hidden charges, or vague estimates.
- Pipe Mapping & Planning: Once approved, we plan the repipe layout in detail. This includes determining wall access points, ceiling routes, fixture tie-ins, and methods for maintaining optimal pressure throughout the system. If we identify faulty toilet shut-offs, worn angle stops, or outdated water heater connections, we recommend replacing them during the same job to avoid future failures.
- Site Prep & Protection: Before any work begins, we protect your home from damage. This includes papering floors, covering entryways, tarping furniture and electronics, and carefully cutting access panels with minimal drywall removal. Our goal is straightforward: to perform a complete copper repipe without leaving your home looking like a construction site.
- Copper Installation: We install high-grade Type L copper throughout the home, using fully soldered joints at every connection. We never use compression fittings or push-to-connect shortcuts. Every line is pressure-tested once installed, ensuring system integrity before any seals are made.
- Water On, Walls Patched: After testing, we restored the water service and confirmed the correct pressure and flow at every fixture. Then, we patch any wall openings we made, clean the site, and walk you through the whole system so you know exactly what was done and where. You're left with a fully repiped, leak-free, high-pressure copper system that's built to last.
Copper vs PEX vs Galvanized What's Really in Your Walls?
Most San Diego homeowners are unaware of the type of piping running through their walls until a leak forces them to discover it. Here’s a clear breakdown of the three most common pipe types we find during repipe jobs and why copper wins every time:
PEX and Polybutylene:
Installed from the 1980s to the early 2000s, these flexible plastic pipes fail at fittings and degrade when exposed to chlorine. We frequently encounter leaks in attics, walls, and behind fixtures, particularly in flipped homes and tract housing throughout Clairemont and La Mesa. Temporary repairs are common, but long-term reliability is poor.
Copper:
We install Type L copper piping, which is rigid, pressure-resistant, and non-reactive. It doesn’t scale, doesn’t corrode, and holds up for 50+ years. It’s the only material we use for full-home repipes in San Diego because it consistently outlasts plastic and steel options, even in high-pressure and challenging water conditions.
Why Homeowners Trust Us for Repipe Projects
San Diego has no shortage of plumbers offering copper repipes, but most of them subcontract the work or rush it to move on to the next job. We’re different. Here’s what sets our team apart and why hundreds of homeowners across San Diego County trust us to replace the pipes behind their walls:
- We Don't Sub Out the Work: Every copper repipe is handled by our licensed plumbers, not random contractors or temporary workers. You receive consistent quality from start to finish and have someone to call if you have questions.
- We Use Type L Copper, Not Cheap Alternatives: We only install thick-wall, Type L copper piping, the industry standard for long-term durability and reliability. It resists corrosion, handles San Diego's water conditions, and outlasts thinner, lower-cost copper that some companies use to cut corners.
- Transparent Pricing, No Surprise Fees: Our repipe quotes are flat-rate and upfront. We don't charge extra for wall patching, additional fittings, or working on weekends. What you're quoted is what you'll pay — period.
- Clean Worksites, Respectful Crews: We treat your home as if it were our own. We cover floors, protect furniture, and clean up every day — not just when the job ends. Many of our customers tell us we left their homes cleaner than when we started.
- 5-Star Reviewed Across San Diego: From La Jolla to Lemon Grove, our copper repipe projects have earned top reviews for service, speed, and results. We don't just fix pipes — we protect your home, your time, and your trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my home needs a full repipe?
If you’re dealing with repeated leaks, discolored water, or low pressure, and your home was built before 1995, you’re likely due. Older homes in San Diego were built with galvanized or plastic piping that breaks down fast in our water conditions.
2. What kind of copper do you use for repiping?
We only install Type L copper, which is thicker, longer-lasting, and approved for residential water lines. It’s designed to withstand high water pressure, hard water, and years of daily use.
3. Will I need to move out during the repipe?
Nope. We work in sections and restore water at the end of each day, so you can stay home while we work. Most full-home repipes take 1–2 days, depending on size and layout.
4. Do you also patch the drywall after the repipe?
Yes. We patch every access point we open, leaving no bare holes behind. If you’re looking for texture or paint matching, we can also refer you to trusted finishers.
5. What if I've already repaired a few leaks? Do I still need a repipe?
Yes, if you’ve had more than one leak in the same system, more are likely to follow. A copper repipe costs less in the long run than repeat leak repairs, wall damage, and mold remediation.
6. Do you offer repipe financing or payment plans?
We do. Copper repiping is a significant investment and we offer flexible options to help San Diego homeowners complete the project without financial strain.
7. Can you also replace shut-off valves and water heater connections during the repipe?
Absolutely. We’ll replace failing toilet shut-offs, angle stops, and water heater lines as part of the job, ensuring your entire system is solid from inlet to fixture.