Whole House Repiping in Dunwoody, GA

Plumbing problems are not always wet. Pipes that bang when a valve closes, a shower that weakens the moment someone starts the dishwasher, or a faucet that barely trickles upstairs can all mean the supply system is undersized, poorly supported or narrowing inside. When the pipe itself is the cause, whole house repiping fixes those problems at the root. Whether the pipe really is the cause is the first thing Alpha Plumbing and Sewer checks in a Dunwoody house.

What the sounds and pressure drops can mean

• A bang when a faucet or washing machine valve shuts: water hammer, the shock of moving water stopping suddenly, made worse by high pressure and loose pipe.
• Rattling or knocking while water runs: pipe moving against framing because its straps or supports have failed.
• A big drop when a second fixture opens: lines too small, or so scaled inside, that they cannot carry enough water for both.
• Whistling or squealing: sometimes a worn valve, sometimes fast-moving water squeezing through a restriction.

Rule out the simpler causes first

Not every noise calls for new pipe. High static pressure makes water hammer worse and strains every joint, so a gauge reading and water pressure and PRV service may calm the whole system. A single noisy valve may only need repair. Loose straps can be refastened where pipe is reachable in a basement or crawlspace, and water hammer arrestors at the washer and dishwasher can absorb the shock from quick-closing valves.

When the pipe is the problem

Galvanized steel narrows as rust and scale build up inside, and every fixture downstream feels it. Some original systems were also sized for fewer bathrooms and appliances than the house has now. And when noisy pipe is buried behind finished walls and ceilings, there is no practical way to restrap it. In those cases, repiping replaces guesswork with a system planned for the way the house is used today.

Sizing and support in a new system

A good repipe plan sizes the main lines for the number of fixtures they serve and fastens the pipe at proper intervals, with straps that let PEX expand and contract as water temperature changes. Pipe is kept from rubbing where it passes through framing, and arrestors go where quick-closing valves make them useful. A manifold layout, with a separate line to each fixture, can help keep flow steadier when several fixtures run at once. For the materials and the order of work, see the whole home repiping overview.

Dunwoody permits and inspections

Plumbing work on its own falls under Dunwoody's trade component permit, which can be issued over the counter, and work may not start until the city issues it. The city's permits FAQ explains that permits go to contractors who hold a license or to an owner who lives in the home, and that an inspector has to see the work, so plan on the walls staying open until it passes. A replacement line from the meter is buried pipe with its own underground inspection under the city code, and that is main water line repair work.

Questions about noisy pipes and repiping in Dunwoody

Is water hammer harmful, or just noisy?

It is more than noise. Each bang is a pressure spike that shakes the pipe and strains joints, valves and appliance hoses, and over time it can loosen fittings or help a weak spot fail. It is worth dealing with even if the house is not ready for a repipe, starting with a pressure reading at an outdoor faucet.

Why does my shower lose pressure when someone runs a faucet?

The two fixtures share supply pipe, and if that pipe is too small or narrowed by scale, it cannot feed both at full flow. A failing pressure regulator or a worn shower valve can add to the problem. Checking flow at several fixtures, alone and together, shows which explanation fits.

Will PEX be quieter than my old pipe?

Many owners notice a difference, because flexible PEX absorbs some of the shock that rigid metal pipe passes along to framing. It still has to be supported properly, and arrestors are still worth installing where quick-closing valves cause hammer. Correct sizing matters as much as the material.

Find the cause of the noise

If the pipes in your Dunwoody home bang, rattle or run out of steam, call Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448 to find out whether new pipe or a simpler fix is the answer.