What's involved
How a plumbing & water heaters job goes
Diagnosis
A camera inspection of drains or a pressure test of supply lines shows what's actually failing.
Repiping
Old galvanized or problem pipe is replaced, usually with PEX or copper, with drywall patches where lines run through walls.
Water heaters
Tank or tankless replacement, sized to your household, with the required safety valves and permit.
Drain lines
Cast iron drains under older slabs can crack or corrode. Options include spot repair, lining or replacement.
South Florida specifics
What's different here
The things a contractor from out of the area can miss.
- Insurers often flag polybutylene and galvanized supply pipes, and some won't renew until they're replaced.
- Many homes built before the mid-1970s have cast iron drains under the slab that are now at the end of their life.
- Water heater age shows up on 4-point inspections, so an old tank can become an insurance issue.
Before you hire
What I make sure is in your estimate
When I connect you with a contractor, these are the items I check so nothing gets added halfway through the job.
- Diagnosis before a big replacement quote
- Pipe material and scope, house by house or partial
- Drywall patching and paint included or not
- Permit and inspection on water heaters and repipes
- Water heater size and type for your household
- Licensed plumber, with license number on the bid
Questions
Plumbing & Water Heaters: common questions
My insurer flagged my pipes. What now?
Send me the 4-point report or the letter. Often it's a specific pipe type or an old water heater, and a licensed plumber can quote exactly what the insurer needs replaced.
Should I fix cast iron drains before remodeling?
If your home has original cast iron under the slab, it's worth a camera inspection before new floors or a kitchen go in, so you don't break new work later.
Tank or tankless water heater?
Tankless saves space and gives endless hot water but costs more up front. A tank is simpler and cheaper to install. Your household size and budget decide it.
Related
Often done together
Areas served
Every city in Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wherever your home is in South Florida, I'll connect you with a licensed contractor who already works in your area.
Miami-Dade County
- Aventura
- Bal Harbour
- Bay Harbor Islands
- Biscayne Park
- Coral Gables
- Cutler Bay
- Doral
- El Portal
- Florida City
- Golden Beach
- Hialeah
- Hialeah Gardens
- Homestead
- Indian Creek
- Key Biscayne
- Medley
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Miami Gardens
- Miami Lakes
- Miami Shores
- Miami Springs
- North Bay Village
- North Miami
- North Miami Beach
- Opa-locka
- Palmetto Bay
- Pinecrest
- South Miami
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Surfside
- Sweetwater
- Virginia Gardens
- West Miami
- Kendall
- Westchester
- Brickell
- Coconut Grove
- Unincorporated Miami-Dade
Broward County
- Coconut Creek
- Cooper City
- Coral Springs
- Dania Beach
- Davie
- Deerfield Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hallandale Beach
- Hillsboro Beach
- Hollywood
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Lauderdale Lakes
- Lauderhill
- Lazy Lake
- Lighthouse Point
- Margate
- Miramar
- North Lauderdale
- Oakland Park
- Parkland
- Pembroke Park
- Pembroke Pines
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Sea Ranch Lakes
- Southwest Ranches
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
- West Park
- Weston
- Wilton Manors
- Unincorporated Broward
Get connected
Tell me about your plumbing & water heaters project.
I'll call or text you back, usually the same day, and connect you with the right licensed contractor.