A whole-house repipe replaces every supply line — hot and cold — from the meter to every fixture. Pro Build performs Massachusetts repipes under MA Master Plumber license, files the 248 CMR permit, pressure-tests the new system to 100 psi for 1 hour, and patches drywall under our Construction Supervisor License so you don't coordinate a separate drywall contractor.
When You Need a Whole-House Repipe
Not every leak triggers a repipe. These signals do:
- Galvanized steel supply lines
- Found in Massachusetts homes built before 1960. Inside diameter narrows over decades from rust scale, dropping pressure at upper-floor fixtures. Repipe is the only durable fix.
- Polybutylene (gray plastic) supply lines
- Polybutylene was installed in some 1978–1995 Massachusetts homes. Reacts with chlorinated municipal water, becomes brittle, and fails at fittings without warning. Insurance carriers may require replacement before renewal.
- Copper failing in clusters
- Copper installed before 1990 in soft-water Massachusetts towns is reaching end of service life. When you fix three pinhole leaks in 18 months, the next leak is already developing. Repipe stops the chase.
- Recurring low pressure on upper floors
- If your second-floor shower drops below 35 psi, supply line corrosion is the most common cause in Massachusetts. Pressure-only fixes (booster pumps) mask the symptom.
- Water discoloration after periods of low use
- Brown or yellow water at first turn-on after a vacation usually means rust scale is shedding from the inside of the pipe. The pipe is failing.
Material Choice — PEX-A vs Type-L Copper
Massachusetts code (248 CMR 10.00) accepts both. Each has tradeoffs.
| Property | PEX-A | Type-L Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost | Lower (~40% less) | Higher |
| Labor time | Faster (fewer joints) | Slower (sweat or press fittings) |
| Freeze tolerance | Expands without bursting | Bursts when frozen |
| Service life | 40+ years proven | 50+ years with stable water chemistry |
| Resale signal | Standard now | Premium tier in some MA markets |
| UV / sun exposure | Must stay enclosed | Tolerates exposure |
| Recommended for | Most MA homes | Exposed mechanical rooms, premium remodels |
Default recommendation for most Massachusetts homes: PEX-A with brass fittings. Default for premium remodels with exposed mechanical room piping or buyer-facing finished basements: Type-L copper. We walk every homeowner through the call during the assessment.
How a 248 CMR-Compliant Repipe Runs
Day 0 — Free Assessment
The Lead Construction Supervisor walks the home with a Master Plumber. We map every supply run, identify each fixture, photograph existing pipe material at 5–10 access points, and confirm whether the meter, main shutoff, and PRV (pressure-reducing valve) need replacement at the same time. You receive a written estimate within 24 hours with material option pricing.
Day 1 — Permits & Materials Stage
Pro Build files the 248 CMR plumbing permit under our Master Plumber license. Materials arrive on-site the morning of Day 2.
Days 2–4 — Repipe
Old supply lines are isolated and capped, new lines run alongside, and fixtures swap over zone by zone. Most Massachusetts homeowners experience 4–6 hours of water shutoff total across the whole project — not 3 full days without water.
Day 4–5 — Pressure Test, Inspection, Patch
System pressurized to 100 psi and held for 1 hour. Master Plumber sign-off triggers municipal inspection. Once the inspector signs the card, drywall and trim repairs run under our CSL — same crew, no second contractor.
What a Massachusetts Repipe Actually Costs
Cost depends on home size, accessibility, fixture count, and whether the meter / PRV / main shutoff need work. Real ranges from Pro Build's recent Massachusetts repipes:
- 1,200–1,600 sq ft single-family, 1 bath, accessible basement
- $8,000 – $11,500 PEX-A · $11,000 – $15,000 Type-L copper
- 1,800–2,400 sq ft single-family, 2 baths, partially finished basement
- $11,500 – $16,000 PEX-A · $15,000 – $20,000 Type-L copper
- Triple-decker, 3 units, separate meters
- $16,000 – $22,000 PEX-A · $22,000 – $28,000 Type-L copper
- Historic single-family, plaster walls, multiple bathroom finishes
- Add 15–25% for plaster restoration and finish-matching
HEAT Loan does not apply to repipes (it is energy-efficiency only). Massachusetts homeowner's insurance may cover a portion if the trigger is documented pipe failure. We help with the documentation.
What Goes Wrong on Bad Repipes
Repipe quality varies wildly across Massachusetts contractors. The failure modes we see most when we fix someone else's work:
- Mixed-material runs — PEX joined directly to old galvanized without dielectric protection. Galvanic corrosion eats the joint within 5 years.
- No pressure test — installer skipped the 1-hour 100 psi test. First failure happens 6–18 months later when the homeowner is on vacation.
- Skipped main shutoff replacement — old gate valve left in place. Next time the homeowner needs to isolate, the valve seizes.
- Drywall coordination handed to a separate contractor — 4-week delay between plumbing finish and drywall start. Bathroom unusable.
- Permit not filed — Massachusetts inspector flags it during a future renovation. You pay twice.
Repipe Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be without water for the whole job?
No. We isolate sections so most homeowners experience under 6 hours total of full shutoff across a 3–5 day project.
Do I need to move out?
For single-family Massachusetts homes, no. We schedule heavy demolition during the day and restore at least one functional bathroom each evening.
Does it qualify for any rebates?
No Mass Save or HEAT Loan eligibility — repipe is plumbing, not energy efficiency. Federal IRA credits do not apply either. Insurance may help if the trigger is documented pipe failure (claim filed by you, we provide the technical narrative).
What's the warranty?
Pro Build warrants the workmanship for 10 years on PEX-A and 10 years on Type-L copper. Manufacturer warranties on the pipe and fittings are separate and registered to the install date.
How fast can you start?
Same-week scheduling for non-emergency repipe assessments. If the trigger is an active leak, our 24/7 emergency plumbing crew stabilizes the leak first, then schedules the full repipe.
Next Step
Repipe is one of the few plumbing decisions where waiting genuinely makes the project bigger. Galvanized scale narrows further; polybutylene becomes more brittle; copper pinholes spread to the next joint. The longer you wait, the more drywall and trim restoration enters the project.