Plumber fitting a supply pipe beneath insulated flooring

Matthews · Mecklenburg County

Pipe Repair & Repiping in Matthews

Homes built in Matthews in the 1980s and early 1990s are the most likely in the area to have polybutylene supply lines: flexible gray pipe often stamped PB2110.

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Common sign
More than one leak in a year
First step
Identify materials
Service area
Matthews · Mecklenburg County

Local conditions

What's different about pipe repair in Matthews

Homes built in Matthews in the 1980s and early 1990s are the most likely in the area to have polybutylene supply lines: flexible gray pipe often stamped PB2110. Polybutylene and its early fittings are prone to sudden failure as they age.

Leaks tend to appear at fittings and connections to fixtures and water heaters, sometimes without warning. Spot repairs fix the leak, but many owners choose to repipe with PEX to remove the risk.

Repiping is usually done room by room with small openings in drywall, and it can be scheduled around the household. Some insurers ask about polybutylene, which is another reason owners replace it.

More about plumbing in Matthews →·North Carolina regional guide →

Pipe repair in Matthews ranges from fixing one split after a freeze to replacing every supply line in an older house. Matthews' median home was built in 1994; some 1980s and early 1990s homes still have polybutylene supply pipe, and gas water heaters in garages are common.

Spot repair or repipe: pipe repair & repiping in Matthews?

When is a spot repair enough?

A single split from a freeze, a nail through a line, or one failed fitting on otherwise sound pipe.

When does repiping make sense?

When galvanized pipe causes low pressure and rusty water, when copper keeps pinholing, when polybutylene is present, or when several materials are patched together and leaking at the joints.

Preventing freeze damage: pipe repair & repiping in Matthews

Supply lines in crawl spaces and near foundation vents freeze first in hard cold. Insulate exposed runs, close vents during freezes and drip a faucet on the coldest nights. Repiping needs a permit.

Hiring for pipe repair in Matthews

SteadWell is a free referral service, not a plumbing company. We connect you with an independent, licensed plumber who serves Matthews; the plumber prices the job and stands behind the work. More about plumbers in Matthews.

Charlotte Water serves Matthews; call 311 or 704-336-7600 for problems at the meter or in the street.
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues plumbing permits in Matthews; water heater replacement and repiping need one.
Confirm the North Carolina license with the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Get the trip fee and total price before work starts.

Why pipe repair calls happen in Matthews

1. Local condition
Median build year in Matthews is 1994; 15% of homes date from 1960–1979.
2. Risk to the home
Homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s may have polybutylene supply lines, which were widely installed then.
3. What goes wrong
Leaks at fittings and pinhole failures in aging supply pipe.
4. What to do
If you see gray plastic pipe marked PB, ask about repiping rather than repeated spot repairs.

Water actively leaking or backing up? Go to 24-hour emergency help in Matthews

Housing figures for Matthews, NC: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.

Beyond Matthews: the full pipe repair guide

More on pipe repair & repiping: signs, steps and costs.

Pipe Repair questions from Matthews homeowners

How long does a repipe take?

Often a few days, plus inspection and drywall patching.

Is PEX good for repiping?

It's widely used because it's flexible and needs fewer fittings.

Do I need a permit to repipe?

Yes.

What do I do if a pipe bursts?

Close the main shutoff and see what to do when a pipe bursts.

Who issues plumbing permits in Matthews?

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues plumbing permits in Matthews; water heater replacement and repiping need one.

Mecklenburg County

Pipe Repair near Matthews

Leak Detection

Plumbers find hidden leaks by isolating sections of plumbing and testing them, then pinpointing the spot with acoustic listening, thermal imaging and moisture meters — so only a small, targeted opening is needed for the repair..

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