Signs the supply lines are wearing out
A single leak is a repair. Several leaks within a few years, brown water at the tap, steadily falling pressure and visible corrosion at fittings suggest the pipes themselves are failing. Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside and narrows over time, so pressure drops long before the pipe leaks.
Other materials fail differently. Copper can develop pinholes from the water chemistry. Some older plastic piping fails at fittings. The plumber identifies your pipe and recommends whether repair or replacement makes sense.
Common replacement materials
The right material depends on the house and the budget.
| Material | Strength | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| PEX | Flexible, quick to run, resists freeze damage better than rigid pipe | Not for outdoor exposure to sunlight |
| Copper | Long track record, durable | Higher material cost, more labor |
| CPVC | Lower cost, rigid | Becomes brittle with age |
Pipes leaking again and again?
Call to talk through repair versus repiping.
What a repipe involves
Repiping is a big job, and a clear plan keeps it manageable.
- Inspect and plan. The plumber maps the existing lines and decides how to run new ones with the least wall opening.
- Written scope and price. You see which fixtures, valves and shutoffs are included, and what drywall repair is or is not part of the job.
- Install new lines. New lines are run, connected and pressure-tested before walls are closed.
- Switch over and restore. Fixtures are reconnected, old lines are abandoned or removed and access holes are patched.
Galvanized pipe in older Derry houses
Derry's housing runs from farmhouses near the two villages to homes built in later decades. Older houses can still carry galvanized steel supply lines, and the Derry Water Department's lead service line inventory lists 20 galvanized service lines that require replacement. The service line is the pipe outside the house, but if the outside line is galvanized, the plumbing inside is worth checking.
Replacing the interior lines is separate from the service line. The water service line repair page covers the section between the street and the house. Many owners handle both in a planned sequence.
Living through a repipe
A repipe usually means water off for part of each day. The plumber plans the work in sections so that at least some water is available at night. Expect dust and wall openings, and plan where to stay if the job is large.
Many repipes are done in a few days for a typical house. Larger homes or those with plaster walls take longer. The plumber gives a schedule before starting and explains what access is needed.
Questions before you commit to a repipe
A repipe is a major expense, so ask these first.
- What is wrong with the current pipes, and can I see proof?
- Could targeted repairs solve the problem?
- What material do you recommend and why?
- What drywall or plaster repair is included?
- What permit is needed, and who files it?
Protecting your house during the work
Move furniture away from walls where openings will be cut, cover floors and tell the plumber about any plaster, tile or paneling that is hard to patch. Ask where water will be available each day, and keep a few gallons stored for drinking and cooking. Plan for pets and children to stay clear of open walls.
After the lines are tested and the walls are patched, ask the plumber for the new shutoff locations and mark them for the household.
Repiping questions in Derry
Frequent leaks, discolored water, low pressure and visible corrosion are signs. The plumber can test pressure, inspect fittings and cut a sample from the line to confirm the condition.
A typical house takes several days, and larger or plaster-walled homes take longer. The plumber gives a schedule and tells you when water will be off.
Often yes. The Derry code enforcement office at 603-432-6148 can explain what applies, and the plumber will mention it when quoting.
If corroded galvanized pipe is the cause, yes. If the cause is a regulator or the service line, the plumber will point there first.
No, it is planned work. If a pipe has already burst, call the 24/7 line for burst pipe repair first, and plan the repipe afterward.
References: Derry Water Department lead service line inventory 2025 for the service line. Derry code enforcement, 603-432-6148, for repipe permits.
End the repair cycle
Call to schedule a repiping assessment in Derry.