Recent Plumbing Projects

Real projects from plumbers in our Wasatch Front network. Real neighborhoods, real costs and real outcomes.

Emergency Burst Pipe Repair -- Sugar House

Sugar House (1700 East area) -- 1,800 sq ft bungalow, built 1948, galvanized pipes

Problem

January cold snap dropped temperatures to -8F overnight. Pipe in the north-facing exterior wall burst at 3am, flooding the kitchen and dining room. Homeowner shut off the main valve within 5 minutes -- limited damage to about 200 sq ft of flooring.

Solution

Emergency response at 4:30am. Cut out the burst section of galvanized pipe, replaced with PEX and SharkBite transition fittings for the immediate repair. Recommended full repipe due to the condition of remaining galvanized lines (heavy internal corrosion visible at the cut). Homeowner scheduled a full PEX repipe for the following month.

Cost

Emergency repair: $650 (after-hours rate). Full PEX repipe completed 3 weeks later: $5,800. Insurance covered $12,000 in water damage restoration (flooring, drywall, contents).

Timeline

Emergency repair: 2 hours. Full repipe: 2.5 days.

Water Heater Replacement + Softener Install -- Sandy

Sandy (Pepperwood neighborhood) -- 2,400 sq ft two-story, built 1996, original water heater

Problem

Water heater failed at 9 years old (should last 12). Tank had 2 inches of calcium sediment on the bottom from hard water (never flushed in 9 years). Heating element burned out fighting through the scale layer. Homeowner also complained about white deposits on shower glass and faucets.

Solution

Replaced 50-gallon gas water heater with a Bradford White (same brand, high-efficiency model). Installed a Fleck 5600SXT water softener (48,000 grain capacity) in the basement utility room. Plumbed softener loop to bypass outdoor hose bibs (softened water kills plants). Added a sediment pre-filter upstream of the softener.

Cost

Water heater replacement: $1,850 (unit + installation + permit). Water softener installation: $2,200 (unit + plumbing + bypass loop). Total: $4,050. Estimated annual savings from softener: $400-$600 in soap, energy and extended appliance life.

Timeline

Both completed in one day (8am-4pm).

Trenchless Sewer Line Repair -- The Avenues

The Avenues (between B and F Streets) -- 1,600 sq ft craftsman, built 1922, original clay sewer line

Problem

Multiple drain backups over 6 months. Camera inspection revealed: tree root intrusion at 3 joint locations, a 4-foot section with offset joints (ground settling) and a partial collapse 35 feet from the house. Previous cable cleaning only provided temporary relief as roots regrew within 3-4 months.

Solution

CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) lining of the entire 65-foot sewer lateral from house to city main. The liner sealed all root entry points, bridged the offset joints and reinforced the partially collapsed section. Two small access pits dug at each end -- no trenching through the historic front yard or sidewalk. 50-year warranty on the liner.

Cost

$6,800 for the CIPP lining (65 linear feet). Compare to traditional dig-and-replace estimate: $12,000-$15,000 (would have required sidewalk removal, mature tree root zone excavation and full yard restoration). Saved approximately $5,000-$8,000 vs traditional method.

Timeline

1 day for lining installation. Curing overnight. Line back in service next morning.

Whole-House PEX Repipe -- West Jordan

West Jordan (near 7800 South) -- 1,900 sq ft rambler, built 1988, polybutylene pipes

Problem

Insurance company sent a letter requiring polybutylene pipe replacement within 12 months or face non-renewal. Homeowner had experienced two small leaks in the past 3 years -- both at polybutylene fittings. Water pressure had gradually decreased over time due to internal pipe deterioration.

Solution

Full whole-house repipe: removed all polybutylene supply lines and replaced with red/blue PEX (hot/cold color-coded). Installed a PEX manifold system in the utility room for individual fixture shutoffs. Replaced all supply stops under sinks and toilets. Patched 14 drywall access holes (basic patch -- homeowner handled texture and paint).

Cost

$5,200 for the full repipe including manifold, all fixtures reconnected, pressure test and permit. Drywall patches included. Insurance company confirmed coverage renewal after receiving the plumber's completion certificate.

Timeline

3 days. Day 1: demolition and rough-in. Day 2: complete connections and pressure test. Day 3: final connections, testing and basic drywall patches.

Projects represent work from plumbers in our Wasatch Front network. Costs reflect actual 2024-2026 invoices. Your costs vary based on home size, pipe type, access and scope.

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