[gtchelle]

Had an earthquake the other day and now I have a hot water leak under my slab, tile real warm, No sign of water, but it's galvanized pipe and the house is 50yers old.

The neighbors have replumbed and figure I'll have to too... we have a tankless wter heater so have turned the valve to turn hot wter off to get someone out not on the weekend.
We do have a water softner. Pressure real low. I put in a new mainline several years ago.. because I was there... so I replaced it.

Should I replumb through the attic, or just fix it? What is the best way to do it in earthquake country? Is there anythingt flexible or with some "give". Figure willhave to tear out a bath wall as it is between 2 baths. The piping in the walls is much newer copper. Any health concerns?

Tearing up concrete then having is come up elsewhere seems dumb. Been here 36 years.

[speedball1]

My story is much the same as yours. 53 year old Florida house on a slab with galvanized pipes. Repairing the old galvanized pipes Isn't your best option. Are you in a warmer location? Repipe overhead in the attic with either plastic or copper. If you're in a warmer climate then you could run the main around the outside of the house and supply fixtures on outside walls while jumping up into the attic and dropping down to supply fixtures on inside walls. Be sure to get at least three estimates. Good luck, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

Hello in Chino... We felt the 5.8 in our area as well...

If you have galvanized pipes under slab, you should repipe. We have a rule that says: You fix first leak, you repipe with second leak. Repairing slab leak is expensive, messy and will run you about 2,5K to fix. For this money you will get only 12" of new pipe with high probability that other leak will follow.

Call plumber. Get 3 estimates. Pick the one you feel comfortable with. The same company should provide wall repairs as well. You paint. Copper is very expensive these days. Expect to pay around 4-5k.