Section and branch pipe replacement in copper, PEX, or CPVC. We swap corroded galvanized, pinhole-leaking copper, and undersized runs — matched to your system and pressure-tested.
Pipe Replacement is one part of our plumbing repair coverage in Montana. For the full picture — symptoms, costs, and when to repair vs. replace — start with the complete Plumbing Repair guide, or browse every plumbing repair service we offer.
Pipe replacement saves homeowners thousands compared to a whole-home repipe when only one run has failed. A pinhole leak in a copper line, a corroded galvanized branch feeding a single bathroom, or an undersized run that starves a fixture of pressure are all fixable in isolation — if the plumber can access the run and match it correctly to the rest of the system. We replace failed sections in copper, PEX, and CPVC, transitioning cleanly between materials with the right dielectric fittings so you don't trade one corrosion problem for another.
We will tell you honestly when a section replacement is the wrong call. If the home still runs original galvanized steel throughout, if we're seeing the third pinhole in a year on the same copper run, or if the pipe is buried in slab or behind finished walls where repeated access is destructive, a planned repipe usually beats patching one leak at a time. Our plumbers photograph the failure, check the surrounding pipe, and price both options so you choose with full information.
Every section replacement includes shutting off and draining the affected zone, cutting back to sound pipe, installing new run and fittings, and pressure-testing the repair before we close anything up. Where a leak sat inside a wall or ceiling, we identify the water damage and coordinate the drywall patch. We default to type-L copper or PEX-A for supply work — both far outlast the galvanized and polybutylene they replace.
Signs you need pipe replacement
Green or white crust on copper
A blue-green stain or white mineral crust on a copper line marks a pinhole leak weeping under the insulation. Once one pinhole appears on a run, others usually follow along the same length.
Rusty water at first draw
Brown water when you first open a tap — clearing after a few seconds — is corrosion flaking off the inside of galvanized steel pipe. The pipe is closing up from the inside and the run is due for replacement.
When a single sink or shower runs weak while the rest of the house is fine, the branch feeding it is likely corroded down to a fraction of its bore. Replacing that run restores full flow.
Water stains on ceilings or walls
A spreading stain below a bathroom or along a wall cavity points to a supply or drain line leaking behind the finish. The longer it runs, the more the surrounding structure absorbs.
Pipe visibly bulging or weeping
A copper line with a raised blister, or a joint beading water, is at the edge of a full failure. Replacing the section on a schedule beats a burst on the coldest night of the year.
Common causes & what we fix
Galvanized corrosion
Galvanized steel pipe corrodes from the inside out, closing up the bore and rusting the water. Homes built before the 1970s that still run original galvanized are on borrowed time.
Pinhole corrosion in copper
Aggressive or acidic water, high velocity, and stray electrical current pit copper from the inside until a pinhole weeps through. It clusters on hot lines and recirculation loops.
Coastal and hard-water attack
Salt-laden coastal air corrodes copper and brass fittings from the outside, while hard-water scale and mineral-aggressive water attack from the inside. Both shorten a supply line's life.
Freeze damage
Water expands about 9% as it freezes, splitting the pipe wall or blowing a joint apart. The failed section has to be cut out and replaced — a patch over a frozen split rarely holds pressure.
Polybutylene and failed old materials
Gray polybutylene supply pipe from the 1980s–90s becomes brittle and fails at the fittings without warning. Any run of it is a candidate for planned replacement before it lets go.
Our process
1
Call or schedule online. Book your pipe replacement in Montana online or by phone and pick a 2-hour window. We confirm in under five minutes with the assigned tech's name and photo.
2
On-site diagnosis. On arrival we diagnose the pipe replacement on-site — free for most repairs, $39 on minor service calls (waived if you proceed). You see the issue and the fix before we start.
3
Flat-rate quote. You get a flat-rate pipe replacement quote in writing, good for 30 days — no hourly creep and no add-ons after the fact.
4
Same-visit fix. Most pipe replacement work finishes the same visit: our trucks carry the common valves, fittings, water heater parts, and fixtures, so a second trip is rare.
How much does pipe replacement cost in Montana?
Pipe Replacement the United States starts at from $349, every pipe replacement quote is flat-rate and presented in writing before work begins — no surprise add-ons, no hourly creep. Seniors (65+) and military save 10% on labor, and financing covers projects over $1,500 at 0% APR for 12 months, with no prepayment penalty.
Why homeowners in Montana choose us for pipe replacement
We've been a trusted choice since 1974 — over 50 years of family-owned plumbing service across Montana. Our techs are CSLB-licensed (#1098234), background-checked, and complete an internal 12-week training program before rolling on calls alone.
Our pipe replacement carries a 10-year workmanship guarantee — separate from any manufacturer warranty on the parts themselves. If the pipe replacement we performed fails because of how we did it, we come back and fix it free for a full decade. Water heaters and fixtures we install are backed by their full manufacturer warranty, and the parts and accessories we fit carry standard 1–5 year warranties by item.
We quote pipe replacement on honest scope: no unnecessary up-sell, salaried (never commissioned) technicians, and a transparent diagnostic so you see exactly what we see — including the parts still in good shape. If a repair is the right call we say so; if replacement is the better long-term economics, we say that. The flat-rate pipe replacement quote is written and good for 30 days.
Areas we serve for pipe replacement
We provide pipe replacement throughout Montana, with fast coverage in every major Montana metro.
Reach times for pipe replacement vary by traffic and time of day, so we quote an accurate ETA when you call — and the dispatch line routes straight to an on-call technician, no voicemail in between.
Frequently asked about pipe replacement
Top questions homeowners searching for Pipe Replacement near me ask us:
Copper, PEX, or CPVC — what will you use?
We match the material to the system and the location. PEX-A is flexible, freeze-tolerant, and fast to run through walls; type-L copper is rigid and proven for exposed and high-heat runs; CPVC suits specific hot-water and chemical applications. We explain the trade-off before we cut.
How long until the new section is done?
An accessible run — under a sink, in a basement, or in an unfinished ceiling — is usually replaced and pressure-tested in 1–3 hours. Runs inside finished walls or slab take longer because of access and patch coordination.
Is a section cheaper than a full repipe?
For an isolated failure, yes — a single-section replacement is a fraction of a whole-home repipe. Once you're patching the same corroded system repeatedly, a planned repipe becomes the better economic call.
Will the repair leak again?
We cut back to sound pipe, use the correct fittings and dielectric transitions, and pressure-test before closing up, so the repair itself is solid. If the surrounding pipe is the same failing material, we'll flag that the rest of the run is on the same clock.
How is the work backed?
New pipe and fittings carry their manufacturer warranties, and the installation labor is covered by the 10-year workmanship guarantee. Pressure-tested joints that fail because of our install are corrected at no charge.