Question 1

What is a slab leak?

Accepted Answer

A slab leak occurs when water supply pipes beneath your home's concrete foundation develop leaks. This can happen due to corrosion, poor installation, shifting foundation, or simply old age. In Las Vegas, the combination of hard water and alkaline soil accelerates pipe corrosion, making slab leaks more common in older homes. Signs include unexplained wet spots on floors, sound of running water when nothing is on, unusually high water bills, warm spots on the floor, cracks in walls or floors, and mold or mildew smell.

Question 2

Should I repair or repipe after a slab leak?

Accepted Answer

Repipe. Repiping (rerouting to attic) is the better long-term solution. While repairing a slab leak costs $2,000-$4,000+ per leak and only fixes one leak, repiping costs $4,500-$15,000 one-time and fixes all current and future slab leaks permanently. Repiping gives you serviceable plumbing that insurance will cover, increases home value, and eliminates slab leaks forever.

Question 3

How do I identify polybutylene pipes?

Accepted Answer

Polybutylene pipes are typically gray, white, or blue plastic pipes, about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. Check your water heater connections, under sinks, at the water main entry point, and in the attic or crawlspace. Look for stamps on the pipe that say 'PB2110' or 'PB'. If your home was built between 1978-1995, there's a high chance you have polybutylene pipes.

Question 4

Why are polybutylene pipes bad?

Accepted Answer

Polybutylene pipes were defective from the start. They react with oxidants in public water supplies (chlorine, chloramines) causing the pipes to flake and become brittle from the inside out. This leads to sudden catastrophic failures without warning. There was a $950 million class action settlement, and they're banned in new construction. Most insurance companies won't cover homes with polybutylene or charge significantly higher premiums.

Question 5

How much does a repipe cost in Las Vegas?

Accepted Answer

Full house repipe costs in Las Vegas typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on home size, pipe material, number of bathrooms, and accessibility. A typical 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-story home costs $6,000-$9,000. This includes permits, new Uponor PEX-A pipes, installation, city inspections, drywall patching, texturing, primer, and lifetime warranty.

Question 6

Will insurance cover my slab leak?

Accepted Answer

Usually no. Most insurance policies do NOT cover slab leak repairs because there's no direct damage yet - just the leak itself. However, insurance WILL cover future leaks if you have serviceable plumbing (pipes in the attic). This is why repiping is smart: it transforms your home from 'insurance won't cover it' to 'insurance will cover it.'

Question 7

What material should I repipe with?

Accepted Answer

Uponor PEX-A is the gold standard for Las Vegas repiping. It's corrosion-proof (unlike copper), freeze-resistant, has superior flow rates, requires fewer fittings (fewer leak points), is kink-repairable, comes with a 25-year transferable warranty, and is made in the USA. PEX-A is flexible and durable, making it ideal for Las Vegas's hard water and alkaline soil conditions.

Question 8

How long does a repipe take?

Accepted Answer

A professional repipe takes two days total. Day 1: We install your new Uponor PEX-A system and restore water service by evening. Pipes remain exposed for city inspection. Day 2: After inspection approval, we close walls, texture, and paint. Total time in your home: two days, not a week like other companies.

Question 9

How long will I be without water during a repipe?

Accepted Answer

Only one day. We start in the morning and have your water back on by evening the same day. While the installation happens during the day, you'll have functioning plumbing that same evening. This is significantly faster than other companies that leave you without water for 3-5 days.

Question 10

What is serviceable plumbing?

Accepted Answer

Serviceable plumbing means your water supply pipes are accessible for repairs without breaking concrete (typically routed through the attic or walls). Insurance companies will cover future leaks in serviceable plumbing because repairs are straightforward and damage-limited. Slab plumbing is NOT serviceable - repairs require jackhammering your foundation, which insurance rarely covers.

Vegas Repipe Pros