Repiping Before Selling: Boost Home Value & Sell Faster

Is Repiping Worth It Before Selling a House?

For sellers, timing is everything. A full repipe may seem like a big undertaking before putting your home on the market, but in the right circumstances, it can be a worthwhile investment that helps your home sell faster — and for more.

Why Buyers Care About Your Plumbing

Modern buyers are savvy. During inspections, outdated or damaged plumbing is often flagged, potentially leading to:

• price negotiations or repair requests
• delayed closings
• buyer walkaways

Many buyers are hesitant to take on major upgrades right after purchasing a home. If you can remove this friction point, you're giving yourself a clear edge over comparable properties.

When Repiping Makes Financial Sense

Repiping is especially worth considering before selling if your home was built before the 1980s and still has its original plumbing.

Older systems are more prone to corrosion and failure. If you've experienced issues with materials such as polybutylene, galvanized steel, or Kitec piping, a repipe can help prevent future headaches.

If frequent leaks or corrosion-related problems have been recurring, it's a strong signal that repiping is needed. Additionally, if you're already renovating other parts of your home, upgrading the plumbing system behind the walls can be a smart move.

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How to Tell If Your Home Needs Repiping

Not sure if a repipe is necessary? There are some clear signs your plumbing may be past its prime. If you're experiencing any of the following, it's worth having a professional assessment before listing your home:

• Frequent Leaks or Burst Pipes: Old pipes are prone to cracking, especially those made from galvanized steel or polybutylene. If you've had multiple leaks patched in recent years, you may be dealing with a failing system.
• Discolored or Rusty Water: If the water from your taps looks brown or yellow (or tastes metallic), that could point to internal corrosion. This is a red flag for inspectors and buyers alike.



• Low Water Pressure: Corrosion and mineral build-up restrict water flow. A noticeable drop in pressure, especially when multiple fixtures are running, can indicate it's time to replace the pipes.
• Slab Leaks: Slab leaks are harder to detect but can cause major damage over time. Watch for unexplained damp spots, warm areas on the floor, or the sound of running water when everything's off.
• Your Pipes Are Simply Too Old: Homes built before the mid-1980s may still have outdated materials like galvanized steel (which corrodes over time), polybutylene (which is prone to failure), or Kitec (which has been recalled due to performance issues).

If you're unsure what type of pipes you have, a repipe specialist can inspect your system and identify any high-risk materials.

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Will Repiping Increase My Home Value?

While a whole-house repipe may not show up as a flashy selling feature like a new kitchen, it plays a crucial role in how your home is perceived by both buyers and their inspectors.

Here's how repiping can increase your home's value:

• Prevents value-lowering inspection findings: Plumbing issues often lead to price drops, seller credits, or delays. New pipes can help you sail through inspection.
• Improves buyer confidence: Buyers are more likely to make strong offers when they know they won't have to deal with surprise plumbing problems.
• Eliminates deal-breakers: If your home still has recalled or outdated piping, it could prevent some buyers from moving forward entirely.
• Increases listing appeal: While it might not make the headline, "new plumbing" adds to the overall peace-of-mind appeal of a well-maintained home.

Long-Term ROI (Return On Investment)

While it's not always easy to calculate a precise return on investment for repiping, the savings from avoiding repeated repairs, reducing water damage risks, and maintaining a smooth sales process often make it more than worthwhile.

Repiping also significantly improves buyer confidence. This boost in confidence can lead to a faster sale and potentially a higher final price.

Additionally, using high-quality materials like Uponor PEX-A tubing or American-made Type L copper not only improves durability but also appeals to buyers who are looking for modern, low-maintenance plumbing systems.

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Get a Free Quote for Whole-House Repiping

Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced damaged and outdated plumbing in thousands of homes since 1991, helping homeowners protect their property value and appeal to today's buyers. A whole-house repipe is a smart, long-term investment that can make your home more attractive on the market. We often exceed expectations when it comes to:

• Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
• Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
• Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
• Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
• Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
• Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.

Schedule a free in-home consult to learn how repiping could increase your home's resale value. One of our local consultants will walk you through all your repipe options and provide a written, fixed-price quote. Don't let outdated plumbing hold your home back - repipe before you sell.

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