Most homeowners have no idea what their supply lines are made of. They notice low pressure or rusty water and assume it's normal.
Plumbing play · Repiping
Repiping leads from homes built in the galvanized and polybutylene eras.
Homes with galvanized steel or polybutylene supply lines are some of the most valuable jobs a plumber can win, and the owners usually don't know what's behind their walls. Spur finds homes built in those eras, writes a letter that explains the pipe type in plain terms, and offers a free inspection, so you're the plumber they call before a pinhole leak becomes a flooded floor.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Robert Klein2876 Fairmount BlvdCleveland Heights, OH 44118Scan for a free pipe inspection
Robert K. requested a pipe inspection · 34 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
Pre-1960homes most likely to have galvanized supply lines
1978–1995era of polybutylene supply pipe installs
Lettersfor a big decision, not a coupon
The problem
Repipe jobs are big, and homeowners rarely know they need one.
The first sign is often a pinhole leak or a burst fitting. By then there's water damage, and the repipe competes with an insurance claim.
A whole-house repipe is a five-figure decision. A generic plumbing postcard doesn't explain why it matters.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from a pipe-era list to a repipe estimate.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A repipe list in Spur
Sample older homes in Cleveland Heights likely on original galvanized supply lines. Names are partly masked.
Zip 44118Single-familyOwner-occupiedBuilt before 1960Owned 10+ yrs
- Robert K.2876 Fairmount Blvd2,940 sq ft · built 1924Galvanized likelyOwned 18 yrs
- Ann & David S.3215 Corydon Rd2,310 sq ft · built 1928Galvanized likelyOwned 22 yrs
- Keith W.1678 Compton Rd1,850 sq ft · built 1941Owned 12 yrs
- Marta L.3540 Washington Blvd2,620 sq ft · built 1931Galvanized likelyOwned 30 yrs
- Paul E.2194 Stillman Rd2,080 sq ft · built 1952Owned 15 yrs
AI draft for Robert K. · 2876 Fairmount Blvd
Dear Robert,
Your home on Fairmount Boulevard was built in 1924. Many homes of that era in Cleveland Heights still have some of their original galvanized steel water pipes, which corrode from the inside over time.
The signs are gradual: lower water pressure, rust-colored water when a tap first opens, and eventually pinhole leaks at the joints. Galvanized pipe can also hold on to lead from older service lines and fixtures. None of this means you have a problem today, but it's worth knowing what's in your walls.
We'll inspect your supply lines for free, test your water pressure, and give you an honest assessment. If a repipe makes sense, we'll explain PEX and copper options and how we protect your walls and floors. Scan the code to book.
Ellen Moss · Heights Plumbing & Drain · OH Lic. PL.48211 · (216) 555-0152
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to find and sell whole-house repiping jobs
A whole-house repipe is one of the largest residential plumbing jobs, and one of the hardest to market, because the problem is hidden inside walls. Homeowners rarely know what their supply lines are made of until something fails. That makes repiping a good fit for targeted mail: the pipe type is strongly tied to when the home was built, and that's in public records.
Two eras matter most. Galvanized steel supply pipe was common in homes built before about 1960. It corrodes from the inside, which narrows the pipe, lowers pressure, discolors water, and eventually causes leaks at threaded joints. The EPA also notes that galvanized pipes can accumulate lead released from upstream lead service lines or fixtures. The second era is polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe widely installed from roughly 1978 to 1995 that became the subject of large class-action settlements over failures at fittings. Some insurers ask about polybutylene when writing a policy.
Lead regulations add context. The 1986 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act banned lead pipe and lead solder in new plumbing, and the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, finalized in 2024, require most water systems to replace lead service lines within ten years. Homeowners in older neighborhoods are hearing more about their pipes, and some will want their interior plumbing checked as the utility replaces the line in the street.
Sell with an inspection and a letter. A whole-house repipe is a five-figure decision, so a sealed letter that explains the home's era, the likely pipe type, and the warning signs is more effective than a coupon. Offer a free inspection and water pressure test, and be honest when a home doesn't need the work yet.
Expect a longer cycle. Plan three touches over two to three months, call every scan back the same day, and keep non-responders on your list. Homeowners often come back after their first leak or when they plan a kitchen or bath remodel.
20×return on a year of Spur Team from one $12,000 repipe
One repipe covers years of Spur.
- Spur Team: $588/yr, plus 400 older homes × 3 letters = 1,200 letters at $1.29 = $1,548
- One $12,000 whole-house repipe = 20× your subscription
- Two repipes a year = $24,000, or 11× the software and postage combined
Example math. Repipe pricing depends on home size, access, and materials. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual way to find repipe jobs
What you needThe usual waySpur
Homes built in galvanized and PB erasWaiting for leak calls✓ Built in
Owner contact detailsSeparate data vendor✓ Built in
Letter that explains their pipesGeneric plumbing coupon✓ Built in
Sealed letter printing and mailOffice printer and stamps✓ Built in
Multi-month follow-upCalendar reminders✓ Built in
Repiping Leads by the numbers
Why older pipes are getting attention
1986
Safe Drinking Water Act amendments banned lead pipe and lead solder in new plumbing
10 years
is the window most water systems have to replace lead service lines under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
20×
return on a year of Spur Team from one $12,000 repipe
FAQ
Repiping lead questions
How do I find homes that need repiping?
Target build years tied to problem pipe. Homes built before about 1960 often have galvanized steel supply lines, and homes built from roughly 1978 to 1995 may have polybutylene. Filter to owner-occupied homes held 10+ years.
What are the signs a house needs repiping?
Low water pressure, rusty or discolored water, frequent pinhole leaks, and visible corrosion at exposed pipes. An inspection and pressure test confirm it.
Should repipe offers be postcards or letters?
Letters. A repipe is a large decision, and a sealed letter can explain the home's era, the likely pipe type, and the warning signs in plain language.
Is polybutylene pipe still a problem?
It was widely installed from roughly 1978 to 1995 and led to class-action settlements over failures. Many homes have had it replaced, but some still have it, and some insurers ask about it.
How long do repipe leads take to close?
Often a few months. Plan three touches over 8 to 12 weeks and keep non-responders on your list, since many call after a first leak or when planning a remodel.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Be the plumber who explained what's in the walls.
Pull the galvanized- and polybutylene-era homes in your service area and mail your first letter today. Free to start.
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