Boston, MA · plumbing service
Repiping in Boston, MA
About 70% of homes predate 1980, so galvanized and aging copper supply lines are common. Call to be connected with an independent, licensed plumber who handles repiping in Boston; they diagnose the problem and quote the work before starting.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent plumbing contractor serving your area. Calls may be recorded for quality and training. The call and referral are free, and you are never obligated to hire.- Licensed local plumbers
- Free call and referral
- You approve the quote first
Common signs
- Rusty water
- falling pressure
- repeated pinhole leaks
Repiping services in Boston
- RepipingReplacing old galvanized, polybutylene or failing copper lines.
- Pipe RepairLeaks, corrosion, cracked lines and low pressure from damaged pipes.
- Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
- Water Line RepairLeaks and breaks in the main line from the meter.
- Water Pressure ProblemsDiagnosing low or high water pressure.
Problems repiping fixes
- Rusty or discolored water
- Pinhole leaks in different places
- Falling water pressure
- Galvanized or polybutylene supply pipe
Why repiping comes up in Boston
About 70% of homes predate 1980, so galvanized and aging copper supply lines are common.
With 70% of Boston's housing built before 1980, a large share of homes still has original galvanized steel or early copper supply lines. Galvanized pipe rusts from the inside, which is why repiping questions here usually start with brown water or falling pressure.
- Typical home built
- 1947
- Homes before 1980
- 70%
- Winter freezes
- Regular hard freezes
How the work is done
- 1Survey the systemIdentify the pipe material, its condition and the fixture count.
- 2Plan the routeChoose PEX or copper and plan wall openings to keep them small.
- 3Permit and installRepiping usually requires a permit; fixtures are reconnected in stages.
- 4Pressure test and patchTest before inspection; openings are patched afterward.
What affects the price
The plumbing company sets the price after seeing the job; ask for it in writing before work starts.
- Size of the home and number of fixtures
- PEX or copper
- Access through walls, attic or crawlspace
- Drywall repair
- Permit and inspection
Plumbing work we connect Boston homeowners with
Repiping in Boston: questions
Will Boston replace my lead water service pipe for free?
BWSC replaces eligible private lead water services at no cost to the owner, for lead services 2 inches or smaller on active, non-delinquent accounts.
How do I sign up for lead pipe replacement in Boston?
Call BWSC's Lead Hotline at 617-989-7888; replacements are generally done April to October, subject to availability.
Why is repiping a common call in Boston?
About 70% of homes predate 1980, so galvanized and aging copper supply lines are common.
How old are most homes in Boston?
The median home in Boston was built in 1947, and 70% of homes were built before 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey).
Does repiping in Boston need a permit?
Usually, when piping changes; the plumber normally pulls it.
Should old pipes in a Boston home be repaired or replaced?
One leak in otherwise sound pipe is usually repaired; when galvanized or failing pipe leaks in several places, repiping costs less over time. In Boston: about 70% of homes predate 1980, so galvanized and aging copper supply lines are common.
Repiping near Boston
- Repiping in Worcester, MARepiping in Worcester, MA: older homes have aging galvanized and copper lines.
- Repiping in Springfield, MARepiping in Springfield, MA: older homes may have galvanized interior pipe.
- Repiping in Lowell, MARepiping in Lowell, MA: older homes have aging galvanized and copper lines.
- Repiping in Cambridge, MARepiping in Cambridge, MA: 19th-century homes still carry galvanized and old copper lines.
- Repiping in Brockton, MARepiping in Brockton, MA: pre-war homes still carry galvanized lines.
- Repiping in Lynn, MARepiping in Lynn, MA: 19th-century homes still carry galvanized and old copper lines.
More plumbing services in Boston
- Drain Cleaning in Boston, MADrain Cleaning in Boston, MA: old cast iron stacks and shared drains in multi-unit buildings narrow with buildup over decades.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in Boston, MAFrozen Pipe Repair in Boston, MA: pipes in exterior walls, back porches and unheated basements freeze in long cold spells.
- All plumbing services in BostonEvery plumbing service available to Boston homes.
Local rules and details for Boston
Boston facts behind this page
For repiping that changes or replaces piping, Boston's plumbing code and permit rules apply (see the source below). Ask the plumber whether your job needs a permit and who pulls it; a licensed plumber normally does.
- The median home in Boston was built in 1947. [1]
- About 70% of Boston's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [1]
- Plumbing work in Boston falls under the Massachusetts Uniform State Plumbing Code (248 CMR 10.00) and must be done by plumbers licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. [2]
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission's Lead Replacement Incentive Program replaces private lead water services, the pipe from the property line into the building, at no cost to the owner. Eligible properties have a 2-inch or smaller service containing lead and an active, non-delinquent account, and BWSC will not do work requiring removal of a porch, stairs, wall, fence or shrubs. [3]
- To apply for Boston Water and Sewer Commission's lead service replacement, property owners call the Lead Hotline at 617-989-7888. BWSC says replacement work is generally performed from April to October and is subject to availability, and that private water service connections are otherwise the owner's responsibility. [3]
Boston rules and programs for repiping
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission's Lead Replacement Incentive Program replaces private lead water services, the pipe from the property line into the building, at no cost to the owner. Eligible properties have a 2-inch or smaller service containing lead and an active, non-delinquent account, and BWSC will not do work requiring removal of a porch, stairs, wall, fence or shrubs. [3]
- To apply for Boston Water and Sewer Commission's lead service replacement, property owners call the Lead Hotline at 617-989-7888. BWSC says replacement work is generally performed from April to October and is subject to availability, and that private water service connections are otherwise the owner's responsibility. [3]
Other common plumbing calls in Boston
- Drain Cleaning: old cast iron stacks and shared drains in multi-unit buildings narrow with buildup over decades.
- Frozen Pipe Repair: pipes in exterior walls, back porches and unheated basements freeze in long cold spells.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Mass.gov, 248 CMR 10.00 · checked 2026-10-01
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Lead Replacement Incentive Program · checked 2026-10-19