Pipes don't last forever — and a lot of San Diego's older homes are running on supply lines that are near the end. A repipe is a big job, so here's how to tell if you actually need one.
Why older San Diego homes are at risk
Homes built mid-century and earlier often have galvanized steel supply lines, which corrode and clog from the inside over decades. Even copper has a lifespan, and our hard water doesn't help. If your home is older and on its original plumbing, it's worth knowing the signs.
Signs your pipes may be failing
- Rusty, brown, or discolored water, especially on the first draw of the day
- Water pressure that keeps dropping as pipes narrow with corrosion and scale
- Frequent or repeated leaks — fix one pinhole, another shows up
- Visible corrosion, flaking, or green/white buildup on exposed pipe
- A metallic taste to the water
- Pipes older than their material's lifespan (galvanized: ~40–50 yrs)
Repair or repipe?
One leak on otherwise-sound pipe is a repair. But when leaks keep coming, pressure's dropping, and the water's discolored, you're throwing money at symptoms. At that point a repipe — replacing the supply lines, often with modern PEX or copper — is the fix that actually ends the problem.
What a repipe gets you
- Clean water and restored pressure
- An end to the whack-a-mole leak repairs
- Modern materials built to last decades
- Peace of mind (and a selling point if you ever list the home)
Not sure if you're at "repair" or "repipe"? give K2 a call. We'll look at what you've actually got and give you a straight answer — not a scare tactic.