Trigger
Emergency / active leak
Who does it
DIY or Pro
Est. time
30-90 min
Est. cost
$15-100
Difficulty
●●●○○
Step by step
Shut off the main water supply immediately.
Dry the pipe and identify whether the leak is at a joint, fitting, or pinhole.
For a quick stop-gap, use a pipe repair clamp or epoxy putty rated for water lines.
For a permanent fix on copper/PVC, cut out and re-solder or re-glue the section.
If it's inside a wall or the damage is extensive, call a licensed plumber.
Questions to ask your pro
- Are you a licensed plumber?
- Is this repair permanent, or a temporary fix that will need to be revisited?
- Will you inspect the surrounding pipe for corrosion, pinhole pitting, or other weak spots?
- Is there water damage to surrounding walls, flooring, or insulation that needs to be addressed?
- Is a permit required for this type of repair in my municipality?
- What caused this joint to fail—age, pressure surges, movement—and is it likely to recur elsewhere?
- Does the repair come with a warranty?
Video guide
Search: 'how to fix a leaking pipe joint'
Watch this guide
This link is a suggested starting point and hasn't been individually re-checked recently — search the title to confirm it still matches before relying on it.
Community editing (coming soon)
See a better technique, a broken link, or a regional building-code note? Contributions will work like a wiki once accounts and review are live.