Supply Line Upgrades

Residential Electrical & Plumbing Systems

Water Supply Line Upgrades from Galvanized to Copper or PEX

Galvanized steel supply pipes corrode from the inside out. Rust builds up on the inner wall, progressively narrowing the effective bore and restricting water flow. A 3/4-inch galvanized main line in a 1950s Oakland County home may have an effective inside diameter of 3/8 inches or less after 70 years. The most common symptom homeowners report is low pressure at every fixture in the house simultaneously — that pattern points to the main supply lines, not a fixture-specific issue.

We replace galvanized supply systems with copper or PEX, running from the service entrance to all fixture locations throughout the house. Copper is the long-term premium choice — it lasts 50 or more years, handles thermal cycling without loosening connections, and is the appropriate material for exposed locations in mechanical rooms and under-sink connections. PEX is practical for renovation work in finished spaces because its flexibility reduces the number of fittings required when routing through existing wall cavities.

Supply line replacement is permitted work in Michigan. We pull the plumbing permit, pressure-test all new piping before closing walls, and schedule the inspection. For whole-house replacements, we stage the work to minimize the time water service is interrupted — typically one full day off and back on. The permit documentation from the project is the homeowner's evidence that licensed trades performed the work and it was inspected.