Repiping in Advance, NC

Clues that the pipe itself is the problem

• Gray, flexible plastic lines marked PB feeding sinks, toilets or the water heater
• Repeated drips at crimp rings or plastic fittings rather than in the middle of a pipe
• Low flow at every tap that a new aerator doesn't fix
• Green or white crust around copper joints in the crawl space
• A home inspector's note recommending further evaluation of the supply piping

Advance homes and water service

Advance is an unincorporated part of eastern Davie County along the Yadkin River, taking in crossroads communities such as Farmington, Fork Church and Shady Grove. Census survey data for the Advance area shows a median build year of 2001, though close to 29% of homes went up before 1980. In practice, a 2000s house near NC 801 is unlikely to need new pipe, while an older home on a rural road may still have its original lines, or a run of polybutylene from a 1980s or early-1990s remodel.

Where county lines reach, water comes from Davie County Public Utilities, which treats Yadkin and South Yadkin River water and disinfects with chlorine. Service is address-specific, and some homes here rely on private wells; if yours does, mention it, because the plumber will tie the new pipe in at the pressure tank rather than after a meter. Davie County says its meters usually sit in the front yard near the road, but it doesn't spell out where the county's line ends and yours begins, so have the plumber confirm before any work outside.

Cost factors to ask about

• Whole house or partial. Replacing only a polybutylene section costs far less than starting over.
• Foundation. Crawl space homes give the most room; slab homes often route new lines through the attic.
• Pipe type. PEX and copper differ in both material and labor.
• Distance to the source. A long run from the meter or well house adds trenching and pipe.
• Wall repair. Find out whether patching is included.

After you dial

We'll put you in touch with an independent plumber who covers the Advance area. It helps to know the year the house was built, whether you're on county water or a well, and which fixtures have given trouble. Building permits for unincorporated Davie County come from the Davie County Planning and Development Services Inspections Division in Mocksville; the plumber can tell you whether your project needs one.