Branching Lines
Branching lines are smaller pipes that connect to the main horizontal supply lines in a home’s plumbing system. They distribute water or gas to fixtures and appliances such as sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, water heaters, washing machines, and gas stoves.
Materials Used:
PEX piping – flexible and commonly used for modern water supply lines
Copper piping – durable and long-lasting, often used in hot and cold water systems
ABS & PVC piping – lightweight plastic options used for drain, waste, and vent systems
Cast iron piping – older, heavy-duty pipe used in drains and sewer systems
Clay sewer pipe – traditional sewer line material still found in many older homes
Why It Matters: Because branching lines carry water or gas directly to fixtures, damage can cause low water pressure, leaks, clogs, or even hazardous gas leaks. Aging materials like cast iron, galvanized steel, or clay sewer pipes may crack, corrode, or collapse over time.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help: Our team specializes in whole-home repiping, drain line replacement, sewer line repair, and gas line services. Whether it’s upgrading old copper pipes, replacing clay sewer lines with ABS, or installing a new hot water recirculation system, we ensure safe and efficient distribution throughout your home.
Changeover
Changeover is the stage of the repiping process when a home’s existing water system is shut off and the newly installed piping is connected (or “tied-in”) to your faucets, fixtures, and appliances. This step transitions your home from the old piping to the new system.
What It Involves:
Shutting off the home’s portable water supply for a short period
Connecting new PEX, copper, or CPVC water lines to sinks, tubs, showers, and appliances
Ensuring hot water, cold water, and recirculation lines are properly tied in
Testing for leaks and pressure before restoring full service
How Long It Takes:
A typical changeover takes 1–2 days, depending on the size of the home and the complexity of the plumbing system. Larger homes with multiple bathrooms, gas piping tie-ins, or aging drain/sewer systems may require additional time.
Why It Matters:
The changeover is a critical step because it ensures that your new piping system — whether PEX, copper, or other materials — is fully functional, leak-free, and safely integrated with your home’s fixtures.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
Our expert technicians handle the entire changeover process with precision and care. From water line tie-ins to gas line transitions and recirculation system hookups, we ensure your new system is installed correctly, tested thoroughly, and ready to serve your home for decades.
Cross Links
Crosslinking is a chemical process that bonds polymer chains together, increasing a material’s strength, flexibility, and durability. In plumbing, crosslinking is most often associated with PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) piping, a material widely used in modern repiping.
Why It Matters in Plumbing:
Crosslinked piping is unique because it can expand up to 3.5 times its original diameter and return to its normal size without damage. This flexibility makes it resistant to cracking during temperature changes, ground shifts, or high-pressure events — helping prevent costly leaks.
Types of Crosslinked Piping Materials:
PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) – commonly used for hot and cold water lines and recirculation systems
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) – less flexible but also chemically modified for durability
Other Polymers – used in specialized gas or industrial piping applications
Benefits of Crosslinked Piping:
Greater resistance to cracks and pinhole leaks
Handles both hot and cold water efficiently
Long-lasting performance compared to non-crosslinked plastics
Flexible installation reduces the number of fittings and potential leak points
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We install Uponor Class A PEX piping, the highest-rated crosslinked material in the industry. Our certified repipe specialists use PEX for whole-home water repiping, hot water recirculation systems, and plumbing upgrades, ensuring reliable performance and peace of mind for Southern California homeowners.
Distribution Pipes
Distribution pipes are the network of piping that transports cold and hot water throughout your home. They connect directly to the potable water supply line, carrying water to fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Materials Commonly Used for Distribution Pipes:
PEX piping – flexible, resistant to freezing, ideal for modern repiping
Copper piping – durable and reliable for both hot and cold water lines
CPVC piping – a plastic alternative for hot and cold water systems
Galvanized steel – common in older homes but prone to corrosion and low water pressure issues
Why It Matters:
Your distribution system is the backbone of your home’s water supply. Over time, older materials like galvanized steel or aging copper can corrode, leak, or cause discolored water. Faulty distribution pipes can also reduce water pressure and increase the risk of costly damage.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We specialize in whole-home repiping services across Southern California, replacing outdated distribution systems with long-lasting PEX or copper piping. Our team ensures consistent water flow, balanced hot and cold supply, and an industry-leading warranty for your peace of mind.
Horizontal Repipe
A horizontal repipe involves replacing the horizontal water supply pipes in a home, which are most often located in attics, crawl spaces, or between floors. These pipes connect the main water lines to branching lines that supply your sinks, showers, tubs, and appliances.
Why It Matters:
Horizontal pipes are especially prone to rust, corrosion, and pinhole leaks, particularly in older homes with galvanized steel or aging copper piping. When rust spots or leaks appear in attic or overhead pipes, it’s often a sign that the entire system is deteriorating. Replacing only the damaged sections can be a temporary fix, which is why a whole-home repipe is often the most cost-effective, long-term solution.
Materials Used in Horizontal Repipes:
PEX piping – flexible, resistant to corrosion, and excellent for attic repipes
Copper piping – durable and commonly used for hot and cold water lines
CPVC piping – plastic alternative used in certain repipe projects
Cast iron or ABS piping – found in horizontal drain, waste, and vent systems rather than supply lines
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We provide expert horizontal and whole-house repiping services throughout Southern California. Whether your attic pipes are leaking, corroded, or showing pinhole damage, our specialists can replace them with high-quality PEX or copper piping. We also inspect your drain, vent, and sewer lines to ensure your entire plumbing system is safe, efficient, and built to last.
Pinholes
Pinholes are tiny openings that form in a pipe when corrosion, rust, or chemical damage eats completely through the pipe wall. When water escapes from these openings, it’s called a pinhole leak.
Where Pinholes Occur:
Copper pipes – one of the most common places for pinhole leaks due to corrosion, water chemistry, or aging metal
Galvanized steel pipes – prone to rust over time, leading to pinholes and full pipe failure
Cast iron drain lines – may develop pinholes as rust and scale eat through the pipe wall
Plastic piping (PEX, ABS, CPVC, PVC) – less prone to rust but may develop cracks or splits instead of pinholes if damaged or improperly installed
Why It Matters:
Even the smallest pinhole leak can release gallons of water over time, leading to:
Water damage inside walls, attics, or ceilings
Mold and mildew growth
Reduced water pressure
Higher utility bills
Because pinholes often indicate widespread pipe deterioration, they are usually a warning sign that a whole-home repipe or drain line replacement may be needed.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We specialize in diagnosing and repairing pinhole leaks in copper, galvanized, and cast iron pipes. Our team provides long-term solutions, including PEX or copper repiping, drain line replacement, and sewer pipe repair, backed by an industry-leading warranty.
Point of Use (POU)
A Point of Use (POU) is the specific location in your plumbing system where water is delivered to meet a single demand source, such as a sink, shower, tub, or appliance. A POU device treats, heats, or regulates water right before it is used.
Examples of Point of Use Devices:
Water heaters (tank or tankless units located near a bathroom or kitchen)
Water filters or reverse osmosis systems installed under a sink
Hot water recirculation systems for faster hot water delivery
Specialty valves or regulators that control flow at fixtures
Why It Matters:
Point of use systems improve water quality, temperature, and convenience at the exact location where you need it. For example, a POU filter ensures cleaner drinking water at the kitchen sink, while a POU water heater provides instant hot water for a shower without waiting.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We install and service a wide range of point of use plumbing devices, including under-sink water filters, tankless water heaters, and recirculation systems. Our team ensures proper installation so your home enjoys safe, efficient, and reliable water delivery right where you need it.
Potable Water
Potable water is the clean, safe water that flows through your home’s plumbing system for everyday use, including drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and washing. Potable water must meet strict health and safety standards to ensure it is free from harmful contaminants.
Where Potable Water Comes From:
Municipal water supply lines connected to your home
Private wells with proper treatment and filtration systems
Point of Entry (POE) or Point of Use (POU) filtration devices that improve water quality at specific fixtures or the whole home
Plumbing Materials That Carry Potable Water:
PEX piping – flexible, corrosion-resistant, ideal for modern water supply systems
Copper piping – durable and long-lasting, common in both hot and cold water lines
CPVC piping – plastic alternative often used in residential water systems
Galvanized steel (older homes) – no longer recommended due to rust and water quality issues
Why It Matters:
Potable water is essential for health and daily living. If your pipes are corroded, leaking, or made of outdated materials (like galvanized steel or lead), your potable water supply may become unsafe or contaminated.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We provide repiping, water line replacement, and filtration system installations to ensure your home’s potable water stays safe, clean, and reliable. From upgrading old galvanized or copper lines to installing modern PEX piping and water purification systems, we help protect your home and your family’s health.
Rerouting
Rerouting is a plumbing repair method used when a problem is discovered in the pipes located beneath a slab foundation. Instead of breaking through the concrete to repair the damaged pipe, new piping is relocated through the walls, attic, or ceiling to bypass the slab entirely.
Why It’s Done:
Avoids costly and invasive slab demolition
Provides easier access for future maintenance or repairs
Reduces the chance of future slab leaks under the foundation
Extends the lifespan of your plumbing system by installing new, modern piping
Types of Piping Used in Rerouting:
PEX piping – flexible and ideal for running through walls and ceilings
Copper piping – durable for both hot and cold water supply lines
CPVC piping – occasionally used in residential reroutes
ABS or cast iron – typically for drain and waste reroutes, not supply lines
When Rerouting Is Needed:
Slab leaks in water or drain pipes
Recurring leaks under the foundation that patching won’t solve
Homes with aging galvanized steel, copper, or cast iron lines that are deteriorating
Situations where future access and maintenance are a priority
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
Our team specializes in slab leak reroutes and whole-home repiping across Southern California. We carefully reroute water, gas, and drain lines to more accessible locations, using high-quality PEX, copper, or ABS piping. Every reroute is completed with attention to detail, tested for leaks, and backed by our industry-leading warranty.
Rust Spots
Rust spots are visible reddish-brown discolorations on plumbing pipes. They occur when corrosion has eaten through the pipe wall, leaving behind weakened areas. In many cases, these rust spots eventually develop into pinhole leaks, which may temporarily clog with rust debris but will continue to worsen over time.
Where Rust Spots Occur:
Galvanized steel pipes – highly prone to rust and internal corrosion
Copper pipes – may develop corrosion and green/blue oxidation, sometimes leading to rust-like spots
Cast iron drain lines – can show exterior rust spots that signal internal scaling and deterioration
Clay or ABS pipes – not subject to rust, but may crack, clog, or shift instead
Why Rust Spots Are a Problem:
Lead to hidden water leaks behind walls, ceilings, or under slabs
Cause low water pressure and blockages as rust debris collects inside pipes
Can contaminate potable water with discoloration and metallic taste
Indicate that the entire piping system may be failing, not just one section
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We specialize in identifying and repairing plumbing systems affected by rust, pinhole leaks, and corrosion. Our solutions include whole-home repiping with PEX or copper, cast iron drain replacement, and sewer line upgrades. With our certified installation and industry-leading warranty, you can trust that your home’s piping will be safe, efficient, and built to last.
Safety Shut Off Valve
A safety shut-off valve is a control valve installed on a home’s pressurized potable water supply system. It allows the homeowner or plumber to safely stop the flow of water to the entire piping system or to specific sections of the home when needed.
When It’s Used:
During a repiping changeover to connect new piping to fixtures and appliances
In the event of a leak, burst pipe, or plumbing emergency
For maintenance or repairs on faucets, toilets, water heaters, or appliances
To prevent flooding and water damage when leaving a home vacant
Types of Shut-Off Valves:
Main shut-off valve – controls water supply for the entire home
Fixture shut-off valves – located under sinks, behind toilets, and near appliances
Automatic shut-off valves – smart systems that detect leaks and shut down the supply
Gas shut-off valves – used to safely control gas supply lines (different from potable water systems but equally important for home safety)
Why It Matters:
A properly functioning safety shut-off valve provides protection, convenience, and peace of mind. In an emergency, quickly closing the valve can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage. Old or corroded valves, however, may fail or be difficult to operate when you need them most.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We install, replace, and service safety shut-off valves for water, gas, and recirculation systems. Whether you need a new main shut-off valve, upgraded fixture shut-offs, or a smart leak detection and automatic shut-off system, our certified plumbers ensure your home is equipped with the right protection.
Shower Shock
Shower shock occurs when the temperature of water in one outlet (such as a shower) suddenly changes because another water outlet in the same home is being used. For example, flushing a toilet or turning on a sink may cause a shower to turn unexpectedly hot or cold.
Why It Happens:
Old or undersized distribution pipes that can’t maintain balanced pressure
Galvanized steel or aging copper pipes that are corroded and restricting flow
Improperly balanced water pressure between hot and cold supply lines
Homes without pressure-balancing or thermostatic mixing valves
Why It Matters:
Can be uncomfortable — even dangerous if water turns scalding hot
Indicates an outdated or failing plumbing system that needs attention
Often a sign that a whole-home repipe or plumbing upgrades are needed
Solutions to Shower Shock:
Installing a pressure-balancing valve or thermostatic mixing valve in the shower
Upgrading old pipes with PEX or copper repiping to improve water flow and consistency
Adding a hot water recirculation system to stabilize supply
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We resolve shower shock by upgrading your home’s plumbing system, installing pressure-balancing devices, and providing expert repiping services. Whether the problem is outdated galvanized pipes, corroded copper lines, or lack of proper valves, we’ll deliver a long-term solution for consistent, safe water temperature.
Tie-In
A tie-in refers to the connection of a pipe to a plumbing fixture (such as a toilet, sink, faucet, or shower) or to another piping system or section of pipe. In residential plumbing, tie-ins are essential for integrating new piping with the home’s existing water, gas, or drain systems.
Common Types of Tie-Ins:
Water supply tie-ins – connecting new PEX, copper, or CPVC lines to faucets, toilets, showers, dishwashers, or washing machines
Drain and sewer tie-ins – linking ABS, cast iron, or clay pipes into the main sewer or vent system
Gas line tie-ins – connecting new gas piping to appliances such as stoves, furnaces, or water heaters
Recirculation system tie-ins – integrating hot water recirculation lines with a home’s existing supply system for faster hot water access
Why Tie-Ins Matter:
Ensure proper flow of water, gas, or waste within the system
Allow upgrades and repipes without replacing the entire plumbing network
Must be installed correctly to prevent leaks, backflow, or pressure issues
Critical during repiping, remodels, and plumbing reroutes
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
Our team performs professional pipe tie-ins for all types of systems — water, gas, drain, and vent lines. Whether you’re repiping your entire home, replacing a section of corroded pipe, or adding a new fixture, we ensure your tie-ins are installed safely, tested for leaks, and built to last.
Water Service Pipe
A water service pipe is the pipe that delivers potable water from the municipal main water line (or a private well) into your home’s water distribution system. It is the critical connection between the city’s water supply and your house, ensuring clean water reaches your fixtures, appliances, and plumbing systems.
Key Details About Water Service Pipes:
Connection point: Links your home to the city’s main water line or a private well system
Material types: Commonly installed in copper, PEX, PVC, or galvanized steel; older homes may still have lead service lines, which should be replaced for health and safety
Typical location: Runs underground from the street or property line into the home
During repipes: In most cases, the water service pipe is left intact during a whole-home or horizontal repipe, since the repiping project replaces interior distribution lines, not the underground service connection
Why It Matters:
A damaged or leaking water service pipe can cause low water pressure, discolored water, high utility bills, or water pooling in your yard. Since this pipe connects directly to the public water supply, it must be installed and maintained properly to ensure safe, reliable service.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We provide inspections and repairs for water service pipes as part of our comprehensive plumbing services. While most repiping projects focus on the interior distribution lines, our team can also assist with service pipe replacements, underground pipe repairs, and upgrades to modern materials if your service connection is aging or compromised.
Whole Home Repipe
A whole-home repipe is the process of replacing an entire home’s pressurized potable water distribution system with new piping. Instead of repairing sections of failing pipe, all of the interior water supply lines are upgraded at once to ensure a reliable, long-lasting plumbing system.
When a Whole-Home Repipe Is Needed:
Frequent leaks, pinholes, or slab leaks in existing pipes
Low water pressure or uneven water flow
Discolored or rusty water coming from fixtures
Homes with aging galvanized steel, copper, or polybutylene pipes that are reaching the end of their service life
Materials Used in Whole-Home Repiping:
PEX piping – flexible, resistant to corrosion, and ideal for modern repipes
Copper piping – durable and long-lasting, suitable for both hot and cold lines
CPVC piping – sometimes used as a cost-effective alternative
Recirculation systems – may be added during a repipe for instant hot water access
Why It Matters:
Repiping your home ensures a safe, consistent supply of potable water while reducing the risk of leaks, water damage, and costly emergency repairs. A whole-home repipe also improves water pressure, efficiency, and overall plumbing reliability.
How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help:
We specialize in whole-home repipes across Southern California, using Uponor Class A PEX, copper, and other premium materials. Our certified technicians provide a transparent process, affordable pricing, and an industry-leading warranty, giving homeowners peace of mind that their plumbing system will last for decades.