I have had 2 plumbers tell me that I have a leak in a hot water line in the slab.

The 1st says he would remove the dry wall behind the water heater to locate the first loop or manifold, then he would try to determine which line was leaking and reroute it. I have 3lines, washing machine (across the room from the water heater), back to back bathrooms, and the kitchen. He could reroute the washing machine line or the bathroom line through adjacent walls, but if the kitchen line was leaking, he would have to reroute through the attic.

The 2nd guy says he would reroute the whole hot water system because experience has shown that if you have one leak that you will have another in the future, especially in a near 40 year old house. This would save on future costs.

The house is located near New Orleans, LA.

Both plumbers said that insurance may cover some of the cost.

What is the best way to go?

Of course a repipe job's better then a repair job. Now the cost becomes a factor. How much percentage of the total cost will the insurance pay? Being in a warmer climate sure helps when you have to run the pipes in the attic. Find out what the insurance company will pay and get three estimates before you let the contract out. Good luck, Tom

My opinion: reroute one loop. If you get another leak within a year, replumb. This way, the problem is fixed with minimum expense.

Additionally, you have pin hole leak. Pin holes are foreing objects other than copper present in pipe. There are not all over the pipe. Therefore, the overall deterioration theory - as it may be true in gavanized pipe - doesn't apply here.

First plumber based his suggestion on years of experience. The other plumber offered "easy way out" creating lots of work for himself, scaring his customer in process.

My opinion: reroute one loop. If you get another leak within a year, replumb. This way, the problem is fixed with minimum expense.
Except you end up with two bills instead of just one. Just my two cents worth. Tom

Thanks to both of you. I will get a 3rd estimate and contact my insurance co to check on coverage.