Top Repiping Contractors in St Paul, Minnesota Ranked

If your St. Paul home is showing signs of aging plumbing-like persistent leaks, low water pressure, or discolored water-a whole-house repipe may be the most reliable long-term solution. This major plumbing project involves replacing all the water supply lines in your home, ensuring clean water delivery and preventing future damage. This guide will help you understand the process, costs, and what to expect when undertaking a pipe replacement in the Twin Cities, so you can confidently find a qualified local professional.

Good Guys Plumbing LLC

st paul

Good Guys Plumbing LLC is a family-owned plumbing company serving St Paul, MN, and nearby areas including Oakdale and Woodbury. They provide a wide range of residential plumbing services such as water heater repair and installation, sump pump repair, leak detection, gas line installation, and water softener installation. The company specializes in working with PEX, copper, and galvanized water systems and offers backflow prevention and water treatment solutions. With over a decade of experience, Good Guys Plumbing focuses on residential plumbing needs and maintaining home plumbing systems.

5.0

248 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

1821 University Ave W #317, St Paul, MN 55104

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides a wide range of plumbing services in St. Paul, MN, including residential and commercial plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, water softener and filtration system installation, and leak detection. They offer specialized capabilities such as video camera sewer inspections and trenchless sewer repair methods to minimize disruption during repairs. Serving the St. Paul metro area, their team is available 24/7, 365 days a year to address plumbing emergencies and routine maintenance needs.

4.9

3.0k Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

6440 Flying Cloud Dr #111, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive plumbing services in Minneapolis, MN, including water heater repair and installation, sump pump repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, and toilet and garbage disposal repairs. The company offers 24-hour emergency plumbing services, including after-hours and holiday availability, and specializes in trenchless sewer repair using advanced equipment. With over 85 years of experience, Roto-Rooter is equipped to handle a wide range of plumbing challenges and water damage cleanup.

4.9

1.7k Reviews

Kelly Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

1932 St Clair Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Kelly Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is a family-owned plumbing and heating service provider based in St Paul, MN. Serving the Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Twin Cities communities, they offer a wide range of services including water heater installation, sewer line repair, repiping, and gas line installation. With over 50 years of experience since 1973, they specialize in handling vintage fixtures and plumbing challenges common in older homes. The company is licensed, bonded, and insured, emphasizing quality materials and long-term solutions.

4.9

169 Reviews

Defend Sewer Repair

minneapolis

Defend Sewer Repair is a plumbing contractor based in Minneapolis, MN, specializing in sewer line repair and repiping services. They focus on trenchless sewer repair techniques that fix broken, cracked, or corroded pipes without the need for excavation. This no-dig technology allows for efficient repairs or replacements, minimizing disruption to homes and businesses. Defend Sewer Repair addresses issues such as damaged or clogged sewer pipes that can cause backups and property damage, providing fast solutions to prevent further problems.

5.0

68 Reviews

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Understanding the Need for a Whole-House Repipe

Older homes in St. Paul neighborhoods like Summit-University, Macalester-Groveland, or Como often have original plumbing systems that are reaching the end of their lifespan. Galvanized steel pipes, common in mid-century builds, are prone to internal rust and corrosion, which severely restricts water flow and can contaminate your water. Even copper pipes, while durable, can develop pinhole leaks from corrosion over decades of use ^{1 2}. A full re-piping project addresses these systemic issues at their source, rather than applying temporary patches to individual leaks. It's a proactive investment in your home's infrastructure, safeguarding against water damage, improving water quality, and ensuring consistent pressure for all your fixtures.

The Repiping Process: A Step-by-Step Overview

A professional whole-house repipe is a meticulous process designed to minimize disruption while delivering a lasting result. Here's a typical breakdown of what happens from start to finish.

1. Inspection and Planning

The project begins with a thorough assessment. A licensed plumber will inspect your current system, identify the existing pipe materials, map the layout, and diagnose specific problems. This is when you'll discuss your options for new piping materials-primarily PEX or copper-and develop a detailed plan for the new pipe runs, often aiming to improve upon the original layout for better access and efficiency ^{3 4}.

2. Preparation and Water Shut-Off

Before work begins, the main water supply to the house is shut off. The plumbing team will prepare the work areas by moving furniture, laying down protective floor coverings, and clearing access to walls and ceilings where pipes are located. For your convenience, they will typically set up a temporary water supply line to an exterior spigot so you have access to water during the project ^{5 6}.

3. Removal and Installation

This is the core phase. The old supply lines for hot and cold water are carefully cut out and removed. The new piping is then installed according to the planned layout. Plumbers will create access points in walls and ceilings as needed, but a skilled team works to minimize the number and size of these openings. The new lines are connected to your home's main water shut-off valve and run to every fixture-sinks, toilets, showers, and appliances ^{4 7}.

4. Pressure Testing and Inspection

Once the new system is installed but before any walls are closed up, it undergoes a rigorous pressure test. The system is pressurized with air or water and monitored for any drop, which would indicate a leak. This critical step ensures the integrity of all connections. In St. Paul, a municipal inspection is often required at this stage to verify the work meets local plumbing codes ^{3 8}.

5. Patching and Final Cleanup

After the system passes inspection, the plumber will patch the drywall, plaster, or ceiling openings created during installation. While they handle the basic patching, you may need to arrange for a drywall professional or painter for a seamless finish. The job concludes with a complete cleanup of all debris and dust from the work areas, leaving your home functional and tidy ^{5 9}.

Choosing Your Piping Material: PEX vs. Copper

The choice of material is one of the most significant decisions in a repiping project, affecting cost, longevity, and performance.

• PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene): This flexible, plastic tubing has become the go-to choice for most modern repiping projects. Its flexibility allows it to be snaked through walls with fewer fittings, which reduces potential leak points and can lower installation time and cost. PEX is highly resistant to scale and corrosion, doesn't conduct electricity, and can expand slightly if water freezes, making it less likely to burst. It has an expected lifespan of 100+ years ^{1 2 10}.
• Copper: The traditional, durable metal piping. Copper is rigid, requires more fittings and soldering, and is generally more expensive both for materials and installation labor. While highly reliable with a proven track record (lasting 50+ years), it can be susceptible to corrosion from acidic water or electrolysis and is a conductor of electricity ^{1 2}.

For most St. Paul homeowners, PEX offers a cost-effective, durable, and efficient solution. However, copper may be preferred in certain situations or to meet specific local code requirements.

What Determines the Cost of Repiping in St. Paul?

The total investment for a pipe replacement project in St. Paul can vary widely. Understanding the key factors helps in budgeting and comparing estimates.

• Home Size and Layout: This is the primary driver. More square footage and more bathrooms/kitchens mean more linear feet of pipe and more fixtures to connect. A repipe for a 1,000-1,500 square foot home will typically range from approximately $5,500 to $11,000, while larger homes can exceed $16,000 ^{11 12 13}.
• Pipe Material: As noted, a PEX repipe is generally less expensive than copper due to lower material costs and faster installation.
• Labor and Accessibility: The complexity of your home's layout plays a huge role. Pipes running through easily accessible basements or crawlspaces are simpler than those buried in concrete slabs or running through finished ceilings in multi-story homes. St. Paul's local labor rates also directly impact the final price ^{3 13}.
• Scope of Work: A "full" repipe replaces all hot and cold water supply lines. In some cases, a partial repipe-targeting only a problematic section-may be possible, but this is often a short-term fix.
• Additional Work: The cost often includes basic patching, but if you require extensive drywall repair, painting, or tile work, those will be additional. Permit fees for the city of St. Paul are also a standard part of the cost ^{5 8}.

For a concrete local example, repiping a 1,500 square foot St. Paul home with PEX might typically fall in the range of $4,500 to $5,900, though this can fluctuate based on the specific factors above ¹³.

Timeline and Living Through a Repipe

A common question is how long you'll be without normal plumbing. A whole-house repipe for an average home typically takes between 2 to 7 days^{3 1}. The crew will work to keep at least one temporary water line operational, usually to an outdoor spigot or a single bathroom. You'll need to plan for limited water access during work hours. Good communication with your plumbing team about the daily schedule and what to expect can make the process much smoother.

Finding the Right Professional in St. Paul

This is not a DIY project. Repiping requires a licensed, insured, and experienced plumbing contractor. Look for companies with specific experience in whole-house repiping, not just general repair work. They should provide a detailed, written estimate that breaks down material costs, labor, permit fees, and the scope of patching included. Check reviews, ask for references from past repipe projects, and verify they will pull the necessary St. Paul city permits and arrange for the required inspections ^{4 7}.

Frequently asked questions

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