Houston homes built before the mid-1970s in the Heights, Montrose, and Midtown often still carry original galvanized supply lines. These pipes corrode from the inside out because the city’s subtropical humidity keeps moisture levels high year-round and the water carries dissolved minerals that accelerate rust. Once pinholes form, water migrates along the slab or into wall cavities, especially in the flat terrain where drainage is slow after heavy summer storms.
We remove the old galvanized runs and install new copper or PEX lines sized to current flow demands. In River Oaks and Downtown high-rises we frequently work around limited access points and must coordinate with property management to keep noise and dust contained. Edge cases include shared walls in Midtown townhomes where one owner’s repipe can affect the neighbor’s pressure, and we always pressure-test the new system to 150 psi before closing walls.
Katy and Sugar Land properties built on expansive clay soils see more slab movement, so we sleeve new lines where they cross the foundation and leave expansion loops. Pearland homes on the southern edge often have higher water pressure from the municipal system, which can push marginal galvanized sections past their limit faster. We map every fixture and valve location before starting so the crew knows exactly where to open drywall and where to fish lines without unnecessary cuts.
Technician insight
In Houston the thing that catches most people out with galvanized pipe replacement is how fast the subtropical humidity and mineral-heavy water turn small pinholes into slab leaks once the pipes hit forty years old, especially in Heights and Montrose homes where the clay soil keeps shifting and stressing the lines.
Heights Bungalow Slab Leak
A 1962 bungalow in the Heights showed low pressure and damp carpet near the hall bath. We found the original galvanized line under the slab had corroded through where the clay had shifted. We rerouted new PEX through the attic and tied it to every fixture, then pressure-tested before patching the two access points we had opened.
Galvanized Pipe Replacement Services We Offer
✓Whole House Galvanized Repipe
Complete removal of galvanized supply lines and installation of new copper or PEX throughout the home, restoring pressure in Montrose and Heights properties.
✓Kitchen Galvanized Line Replacement
Targeted replacement of corroded galvanized runs feeding kitchen sinks and appliances without disturbing finished living areas in River Oaks homes.
✓Bathroom Galvanized Pipe Swap
Replace supply lines to showers, tubs, and vanities while protecting tile and fixtures common in 1950s-60s Midtown and Downtown residences.
✓Slab Leak Galvanized Repair
Locate and reroute new lines around slab leaks caused by failed galvanized pipe in Harris County homes where clay soil shifts seasonally.
✓Galvanized to PEX Conversion
Switch older galvanized systems to flexible PEX in attics and crawl spaces typical of Katy and Sugar Land properties built on expansive soils.
Galvanized Pipe Replacement Cost in Texas
| Service | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house galvanized repipe | $8,000–$15,000 | Price moves with square footage, access to slab lines, and copper versus PEX choice. |
| Kitchen and bath only repipe | $3,500–$6,000 | Limited to visible runs feeding those rooms in single-story Heights homes. |
| Slab reroute add-on | $1,200–$2,800 | Required when clay soil movement has already shifted lines under Montrose or Midtown slabs. |
| Drywall patch and paint | $800–$1,600 | Covers restoration after line installation in finished spaces. |
Ranges are typical for Texas and confirmed with an exact written quote before any work starts.
How it works
- 1
Site Assessment
We inspect every accessible galvanized run, note fixture locations, and check pressure at multiple points in homes across the Heights and Montrose.
- 2
Material Selection
Owner chooses copper or PEX based on access, budget, and whether the home sits on shifting clay like many Pearland properties.
- 3
Selective Demolition
Small strategic openings are made so new lines can be fished through walls and ceilings with minimal drywall removal.
- 4
New Line Installation
Lines are run, supported, and pressure tested before any walls are closed in humid Houston conditions that can hide slow leaks.
- 5
Final Restoration
Openings are patched, textured, and painted to match existing finishes so the home looks untouched once the job is complete.
Pricing
Most whole-house galvanized replacements in Houston fall between eight and fifteen thousand dollars depending on access and material choice.