Copper was the gold-standard supply material for the homes and condos Boca Raton built in the 1960s and ’70s. Fifty-plus years later, a lot of that copper is thinning from the inside and starting to weep through pinhole leaks — the classic sign that a home is ready for a full repipe rather than another patch.
Why this matters in Boca Raton
Boca Raton’s desirable older neighborhoods and mid-century condos carry a high share of original copper supply piping. Copper lasts a long time, but it isn’t forever: in Florida’s water and over decades of use, it can corrode internally until tiny perforations — pinhole leaks — appear. The frustrating part for owners is that pinholes tend to come in waves; fixing one spot doesn’t stop the next from showing up elsewhere on the same tired system. That’s the tipping point where a whole-home repipe becomes the smarter long-term move.
Repipe vs. slab leak — which page do you need?
This page covers a whole-home repipe — replacing the home’s aging supply piping throughout. If instead you’re dealing with a single leak in a line under the concrete slab, that’s a different fix. See our dedicated Boca Raton slab leak guide for locating and repairing or rerouting an under-slab line.
Signs your copper may be due
- Recurring pinhole leaks — especially more than one in a short span
- Blue-green staining or corrosion at joints and fittings
- Discolored water or a metallic taste, particularly on first draw
- Declining water pressure across multiple fixtures
- Water stains on ceilings or walls fed by overhead copper runs
- A history of patch repairs on the same supply system
Your repipe options
Copper repipe
Replacing old copper with new copper keeps the same material and resets the clock with a fresh service life. It’s rigid, time-tested, and familiar — though typically the higher-cost option.
PEX repipe
PEX is a flexible plastic supply pipe that routes quickly with far fewer joints, and it isn’t subject to the pinhole corrosion that affects copper. Many Boca owners choose PEX for a repipe on cost and durability grounds. A licensed plumber can recommend based on your layout, water chemistry, and preference.
What affects the cost
- Home size & number of bathrooms — more fixtures means more pipe and connections.
- Single-family home vs. condo — condos add association coordination.
- One vs. two stories and access through walls, ceilings, and attic.
- Copper vs. PEX material choice.
- Drywall, tile, and finish restoration after the work.
- Permit and inspection fees through your local building department.
| Scope of work | Directional planning range |
|---|---|
| Whole-home repipe in PEX | $5,000 – $13,000+ |
| Whole-home repipe in copper | $8,000 – $20,000+ |
| Larger / two-story homes | $12,000 – $25,000+ |
| Plumbing inspection / leak assessment | $100 – $500 |
Permits & who can do the work
Repiping is permitted work in Florida. In Boca Raton the permit and inspections run through the City of Boca Raton building department; nearby unincorporated areas fall under Palm Beach County’s building division (the “authority having jurisdiction,” or AHJ). Work should be performed by a Florida state-licensed plumbing contractor, who normally pulls the permit and schedules the required inspections. Condo projects may also require association approval for any work touching shared elements. Confirm current permit fees and requirements with your specific AHJ — they vary and change over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is copper failing in older Boca Raton homes?
Boca Raton has many homes and condos from the 1960s and 1970s plumbed in copper. After decades of service, copper can develop pinhole leaks — tiny perforations caused by internal corrosion.
Once one appears, more often follow on the same aging system, which is why owners move from spot repairs to a whole-home repipe.
Is this the same as fixing a slab leak?
Related but not the same. A slab leak is a single failure in a line running under the concrete slab and is often handled by locating and repairing or rerouting that line. A whole-home repipe replaces the home’s aging supply piping throughout.
If you are chasing a specific under-slab leak rather than replacing the whole system, see our Boca Raton slab leak page.
Copper or PEX for a Boca Raton repipe?
Both are used in Florida. Re-piping in copper keeps the same material with a fresh service life; PEX is flexible, fast to route with fewer joints, and resists the pinhole corrosion that affects copper.
Many owners choose PEX for a repipe, but a licensed plumber can advise based on your home, water chemistry, and preference.
Can a condo be repiped?
Yes, though condos add coordination. In-unit supply lines can be repiped, but work affecting shared walls, risers, or common elements usually needs association approval and coordination with the building. A licensed plumber experienced with Boca condos can outline the process.
How disruptive is a whole-home repipe?
A supply repipe on a typical single-family home is often a few days of plumbing, plus drywall patching where lines were accessed in walls and ceilings. Crews work to minimize disruption and restore finishes afterward. Your plumber can give a schedule after inspecting the home.
Do I need a permit to repipe in Boca Raton?
Yes — repiping is permitted work. Your licensed plumbing contractor typically pulls the permit through the City of Boca Raton building department (or Palm Beach County for unincorporated areas) and schedules inspections. Verify current fees with your AHJ.
Dealing with an under-slab leak instead? See our Boca Raton slab leak guide → · Want the full breakdown? Read our in-depth Florida plumbing guides →