How Much Do Pipe Leak Repairs Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $250 - $850
On average, pipe leak repairs cost $500, though prices can run between $250 and $850 depending on the type and location of the leak and the type of pipe.
Pipe leak repairs cost $150 to $4,700, with an average cost of $500. Your actual repair costs depend on a wide range of factors, including the type and location of the leak and the type of the pipe in question. Local plumber costs, resulting water damage (and the necessary repairs), and other factors can also impact costs.
In extreme scenarios, complicated pipe repairs behind a wall or underground require extra work that can bump up your bill to $4,700 or more—and you’ll need to account for drywall and flooring repairs as needed.
- Average
- $500
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $4,700
Pipe Leak Repair Cost Factors
Uh oh—you’ve noticed a constant dripping sound under your kitchen sink, or maybe there’s a small puddle of water on the floor of your bathroom. The actual cost to fix a leaking pipe will vary depending on what’s causing the issue, the location of the leak, and more. To get a better idea of the overall cost, consider these factors when budgeting for plumbing repair costs.
Type of Leak
The type of leak is the most important factor in figuring out the cost of fixing the leaking pipe. One of the more common types of pipe leaks is due to clogs, like food debris or grease buildup, which costs $150 to $300 to fix. On the other hand, water line leaks cost $190 to $1,500 or more to repair, and waste line leak repairs range from $150 to $4,700.
One of the costliest types is burst pipe repair, which costs $150 to $250 per linear foot to fix. A typical job costs $400 to $1,500, plus an additional $1,000 to $2,000 for water damage cleanup.
Type of Pipe
There are various types of pipes that plumbers install in homes, each with their own potential for plumbing problems. If your house is newer, your plumbing most likely consists of cost-effective and versatile plastic-based piping.
| Pipe Name | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) | $2–$8 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) | $0.40–$2 |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | $0.50–$5 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | $1–$10 |
| Galvanized | $3–$8 |
| Copper | $2–$10 |
| Cast Iron | $10–$20 |
CPVC is an affordable option that can last 50 to 70 years. You can use it for hot and cold water, so it’s popular for water lines.
PEX is another highly versatile plastic. It’s ideal because it doesn’t corrode like metal pipes, resists scale buildup, and is compatible with CPVC. This type lasts 80 to 100 years.
PVC is lightweight, affordable, and easy to work with. Plumbers often use it for sewer plumbing in new construction. PP is a lightweight, durable material that’s comparable to PVC.
Galvanized pipes have zinc coatings and last 50 years. If you live in an older home built before the 1940s, you may have galvanized pipes. The downside is that these can corrode over time, so keep an eye on your water quality.
Copper pipes last 40 to 50 years, and plumbers often use them for water supply lines.
Cast iron pipes are common in homes built before the 1960s. They last 50 years, although they can be susceptible to corrosion, which can lead to costly repairs or replacement.
Age of Pipes
The older the piping, the more likely it needs your attention. If your house is particularly old (think: pre-1940s), you may experience common plumbing problems in older homes and may need to consider replacing your entire plumbing system.
Location
The harder it is to access the pipes, the costlier the repair will be. Fixing an exposed pipe in a crawl space or basement is $150 while repairing a leaky pipe inside a wall starts at $150 and can go up to $350 or more. A pipe in the wall behind a kitchen cabinet will cost $500; if the faulty pipe is in a ceiling, it can cost $700 to $2,500.
These costs are for fixing the pipe only, and you’ll need to account separately for drywall repair.
Labor
The minimum service fee for plumbers is $50 to $100, and plumbers charge $45 to $200 per hour. However, prepare to spend more if you need a plumber urgently after hours. On average, emergency plumbers cost 1.5 to 3 times more than typical plumbers.
Location
Understandably, areas with a higher cost of living—big cities and coastal areas—tend to have more expensive contractors than areas with a lower cost of living. The table below shows the average cost to hire a plumber to repair a leaky pipe in several cities across the United States.
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Austin, Texas | $175–$450 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $200–$550 |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | $175–$450 |
| Los Angeles, California | $200–$600 |
| New York, New York | $200–$525 |
| Orlando, Florida | $150–$375 |
| San Francisco, California | $200–$600 |
| Seattle, Washington | $275–$750 |
Repair Costs by Type of Leak
Not all plumbing is created equal. The type of pipe leak you have can provide insight into how much it’ll cost to replace plumbing pipes.
Water Line Leak
The price to fix a small water line leak in an easy-to-access location is about $190. However, a main water line leak repair costs $340 to $1,500 or $100 to $200 per linear foot. The final costs depend on the severity of the issue.
For example, if you need to drain all the water from the plumbing system, fix the main line, and install a new shut-off valve, it’ll cost $700. If the repair requires excavation, expect to pay $40 to $200 per cubic yard for dirt removal.
Landscaping repair after a main water line repair or replacement can range widely between $300 and $16,000.
Waste Line Leak
There are two types of waste lines in your home: the drain line inside your house and the outdoor, underground main sewer lines. Fixing a leak on a drain line by your sink or shower due to a clog or damaged PVC pipe costs $150, whereas a severe clog can increase repair costs to $300.
The cost of repairing your sewer line is higher and runs from $1,250 to $4,700.
Heating Line Leak
Repairing a gas line costs $150 to $650, or $6 to $7 per foot. If you need help repairing furnace gas lines, it’s $20 to $25 per linear foot, and water heater gas lines are $10 to $18 per linear foot. You may have additional costs like drywall repair or excavation.
Additional Costs to Consider
When it comes to fixing a leaking pipe, there’s more to consider than just the actual pipe itself. From service fees to replacing hardware, piping, and more, here are some additional costs you should budget for.
Diagnostic Fees
Plumbers charge $80 to $100 to diagnose a leaky pipe problem. Even if you feel confident you’ve pinpointed the plumbing problem, it's important to call in a pro. Sometimes, the leak is in places you can’t easily see, and plumbers can spot signs of leaks you might have missed.
New Plumbing Installation
Sometimes, you need to start fresh. While repairing your pipes is your top priority, it isn’t always possible or advisable. In these cases, replacing the water main costs $610 to $2,600 or $50 to $250 per linear foot.
If your pipes were leaking due to corrosion, you might need to replace the soil. In some areas with acidic or resistive soil, the soil can cause corroded pipes.
Reinstalling pipes in an entire home costs $2,000 to $15,000. While it’s a significant cost, investing in pipe replacement is sometimes the best option. For example, if your plumbing is constantly in need of repairs or you’re planning on doing large renovations, putting in a brand-new plumbing system might make the most sense.
There are also some cases when it’s necessary. If you have a pre-1920s home with lead pipes, it’s highly advisable to replace the pipes for the health and safety of your household. Also, pre-1940s homes may have galvanized pipes that are susceptible to corrosion, which can contaminate your drinking water.
Faucet Replacement
Replacing a bathroom faucet costs $170 to $360, although it can be as high as $2,800 if you choose luxury materials.
In comparison, replacing a kitchen faucet costs $160 to $360 for materials and labor, with luxury installations reaching $1,200 or more.
Replace Water Pressure Regulator
If your plumber finds out that you have a faulty water pressure regulator, you’ll need to get a replacement. For most single-family homes, a new water pressure regulator runs from $250 to $450.
Replace Plumbing Stack
Replacing your plumbing stack costs $1,500 to $4,000. The costs will be on the higher end if your home has expensive piping like copper or cast iron.
The plumbing stack is the vertical pipe that sticks out through your roof and connects to your plumbing fixtures. It takes the wastewater from the fixtures and moves it to the sewer system. Leaks from the plumbing stack can cause extensive damage to your house, especially to the walls. The leak can also be dangerous since it may contain bacteria from waste.
Well Pump Replacement
Repairing a well pump costs $350 to $1,500. If it turns out your well pump is beyond repair, except to pay $940 to $2,620 for a new replacement. Deep-well projects cost substantially more than shallow pumps.
Drywall Repairs or Replacement
Drywall repair costs $50 to $75 per square foot. On a typical job with leaking pipes, the drywall costs are $250 to $750. If you need an entire ceiling repaired, it’ll cost $320 to $1,300.
If you have drywall with water damage from the leaking pipes, labor will cost $60 to $90 per hour plus the cost of materials, which is $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot. If there’s mold damage, the costs are much higher: the average cost of mold remediation is $2,300.
Flooring Repairs or Replacement
Repairing your floor costs $200 to $580 on average, but if your subfloor is damaged, it can cost $300 to $2,500. And if your flooring has extensive water damage, you may need to repair rotting joists, which costs $1,000 to $5,000.
Furthermore, the cost to repair or replace your floor can vary widely depending on the floor materials. Hardwood and bamboo flooring costs $5 to $25 per square foot, laminate flooring costs $2 to $8 per square foot, and vinyl flooring costs $2 to $7 per square foot.
Cost to Fix a Leaky Pipe Yourself
If the leaky pipe problem is easily accessible and you have plumbing experience, you may be able to DIY the fix. In this case, the only cost will be the materials, assuming you have all the tools needed to complete the job.
For example, to DIY a leaky pipe fix under the kitchen sink, you may only need to invest $5 for a 10-foot-long PVC pipe. This will only apply to you if the only issue is a damaged pipe that needs to be replaced, with no need for additional repair of water-damaged cabinets or flooring.
DIY Pipe Leak Repair Costs vs. Hiring a Pro
While you may save on leaking pipe repair costs by doing a DIY job, complicated projects require a pro. This is especially true if you can’t figure out the source of the leak or if the leak is happening behind a wall, in the ceiling, or in the floor.
Hiring the right company or contractor can save you money in the long run. A pro has the experience and training to do the job correctly and safely. A certified plumber should handle leaks in your water main, sewer lines, and heating lines for safety reasons.
Questions to Ask a Plumber
When you notice a leaky pipe, it can be tempting to go with the first emergency plumber near you who picks up the phone. But assuming you have the time to get a few quotes, we recommend getting estimates from at least three plumbers. This makes it easier to choose the right contractor based on your budget and timeline.
It also gives you an opportunity to ask the plumber a few important questions before signing on the dotted line. Here are some questions you should ask a plumber about a pipe leak before asking them to repair it:
Are you licensed and insured?
How long will the repair take, and how soon can you start?
Are there permits required for this level of repair? Who handles the permit process?
Do you have testimonials from recent clients who are happy with their work?
What kind of piping do you recommend we use when replacing the leaky pipe, and how long should it last?
What routine maintenance do you recommend to protect the rest of my pipes?
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many reasons why water pipes leak. The most common reasons include clogs, broken rubber seals that deteriorate over time, corrosion on copper, brass, or galvanized pipes, and damaged pipe joints.
You might also have a leak if your water pressure is too high (usually higher than 60 psi) or if your fixtures have a crack. Moreover, natural changes in the area around your underground pipes, like growing tree roots, flooding, or earthquakes, can cause leaky water pipes.
You can try a few things to figure out where a water leak is coming from. Check all of your appliances and fixtures, make sure the water pressure is normal on your faucets, and look for signs of water damage. Some signs of a leaky pipe include water stains on ceilings and walls, paint or wallpaper that starts bubbling, a musty smell, or visible signs of mold.
Shut off the water if it’s safe to do so, and call a plumber as soon as you can. The longer a leak goes on, the more potential there is for water damage or a burst pipe. Repairing a burst pipe costs $500 on average. Then, remove any remaining water and ventilate the area.