Whole-home repiping sounds daunting, but in practice it is a more manageable project than most homeowners expect. A typical residential repipe takes one to three days for the pipe installation itself, with water shut off only during active work — usually restored each evening. There will be some access holes in walls and ceilings, and a brief period where water is unavailable during working hours, but a professional plumbing crew minimizes disruption as much as possible and handles the work systematically so your home is livable throughout.

What Actually Happens During a Repipe

A repipe replaces all or a significant portion of your home’s supply lines — the pipes that carry water under pressure to every fixture, appliance, and faucet. Modern repipes typically use PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing, which is flexible, freeze-resistant, and faster to route than rigid copper. Because PEX can be snaked through walls with smaller access points than rigid pipe required, the number of holes cut into drywall has decreased significantly compared to copper repipes of a decade ago.

The process generally looks like this: the crew shuts off the main water supply, cuts access holes at strategic points (typically behind toilets, under sinks, in utility areas, and at the water heater), runs new PEX lines from the main to each fixture, connects the new lines, restores water, and pressure-tests the system. At the end of each day, water is turned back on so the home is functional overnight.

Timeline Factors That Affect Disruption

Several variables affect how long and disruptive the project is:

  • Home size and layout: A 1,200 sq ft ranch-style home with an accessible crawl space repipes faster and with fewer wall penetrations than a three-story home with finished basement and multiple bathrooms.
  • Existing pipe material: Galvanized steel pipes that have partially collapsed or corroded shut add complexity; polybutylene pipes (a problematic material found in many 1980s–1990s homes) are often straightforward to replace because they’re identifiable and accessible.
  • Finished vs. unfinished walls: Homes with unfinished utility areas, crawl spaces, or accessible attics allow crews to route pipe with minimal drywall cuts.
  • Number of fixtures: More bathrooms, wet bars, exterior hose bibs, and appliance connections extend the job.

What You’ll Need to Plan For

To minimize stress, plan for no water access during working hours (typically 8am–5pm) for one to three days. This means morning showers before the crew arrives, filling water containers or a cooler for drinking water, and using a laundromat or gym shower if the job runs longer than a day. Many homeowners find it helpful to arrange for pets and young children to be elsewhere during the noisier phases of the work.

After the pipe work is complete, drywall patching and painting are typically a separate step — either handled by the plumbing company (some do offer patch-and-paint services) or by a drywall contractor. Your plumber should walk you through exactly how many and how large access holes to expect before work begins so you can plan accordingly.

Why Colorado Homes Often Need Repiping Earlier

Denver’s hard water accelerates the deterioration of older galvanized steel pipes through mineral scale buildup, and the Front Range’s wide seasonal temperature swings stress pipe joints over time. Homes built between the 1950s and early 1990s are prime candidates for repipe assessment — especially if water pressure has dropped noticeably, water runs rust-colored when first turned on, or pinhole leaks have started appearing. A pipe inspection can determine whether a targeted repair or a full repipe is the smarter investment.

If your water quality is also a concern, water quality and treatment options — including whole-home filtration and water softeners — can be evaluated alongside a repipe, since it’s efficient to address both while the system is already being worked on.

Done’s plumbing team handles repiping throughout the Denver metro area. We’ll give you a clear scope of work, a realistic timeline, and an honest answer about what to expect. Learn more about our plumbing services or contact us to schedule an assessment.