What’s a Pipe Leak Repair Cost in Phoenix?

July 29, 2020

Updated November 2022

The cost to repair a simple pipe leak in Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, or surrounding cities typically ranges from $150–$350+. An example of this type of repair would be fixing a leaky water pipe under your kitchen sink.

However, if your water supply or sewer lines have a leak, the price can increase significantly, ranging from $1,000–$15,000+.

We know—that’s a huge price range.

The reason pipe leak repair costs vary so much is because the job depends on several factors, including:

Location of the pipe leak
Size of the pipe leak
Pipe repair method
Restoration costs
Camera inspection fees
Choice of plumber

Typically, the more work that needs to be done, the more it will cost to fix or replace the pipe.

We’ll go into more detail about each of these important cost factors to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for your pipe leak repair.

Want to know exactly how much your pipe leak repair will cost? Our repair specialists can give you an upfront estimate.

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Cost Factor #1: Location of the Pipe Leak

As we mentioned earlier, leaks in your water main or sewer line will be more expensive than a leak in a smaller secondary pipe.

We’ll explain. Secondary lines are the smaller pipes that connect your home’s plumbing fixtures (toilet, sink, etc.) to the sewer line. These lines feed into the sewer line, which drains wastewater into the public sewer system.

Diagram of the various drains in a house. — *Secondary sewer lines feed into the main sewer line*

Your home also has a water supply main line that brings water to secondary supply lines. These secondary lines connect to your home’s plumbing fixtures, allowing water to flow from showers, faucets, etc.

Because water main line water pipes are underground and more difficult to access, repairing them requires more time and effort than fixing a leak in a secondary line, and that will increase the repair cost.

That said, if a secondary line is leaking and is located under a floor or behind a wall, the cost of the repair will increase because you’ll have to factor in repairing more than just the plumbing (See Cost Factor #4 below).

Learn more about what’s included in a sewer line repair.

Cost Factor #2: Size of Pipe Leak Repair

If the plumber finds that the leaky pipe has several holes or one long break, then the pipe needs to be replaced. If the leak occurs in a long pipe compared to a short pipe, it will increase the replacement cost.

Besides the length of the pipe, the replacement cost will also depend on the pipe material. For example, copper pipe leak repairs will be more expensive than repairs for PVC pipes of the same length. For houses built between 1950—2000 that have old copper pipes, replacing them with PVC pipes may be a better option over choosing a copper pipe leak repair.

Cost Factor #3: Pipe Leak Repair Method

Some pipe leak repair methods are less expensive than others. For example, a plumber fixing a simple leak in an easy-to-access pipe can use repair tape or epoxy putty to stop the leaks. These pipe leak repair methods are relatively quick and inexpensive.

However, underground leaks are more difficult and require more resources to repair. Depending on where the leak is located, the plumber may have no other option but to excavate to reach the leaky pipe.

Some underground pipes can be repaired or replaced using “trenchless” repairs that avoid digging. These methods cost a little more up front, but you’ll save money on restoration costs because trenchless methods cause minimal disruptions to your property.

The plumber you hire will recommend the least-intrusive repair method for your pipe leak repair. A good plumber shouldn’t charge for what isn’t necessary. Learn more about what goes into our pricing for plumbing repairs.

Cost Factor #4: Restoration Costs

As we mentioned earlier, some pipe leaks are in hard-to-reach locations such as:

Under floors
Behind walls
Under the lawn
Under driveway or concrete slabs

If the leaky pipe is in one of these places, the plumber will likely need to cut or dig to access and repair the pipe. Besides the cost of the repair itself, you’ll also have to factor restoration costs into the overall price of the project. Learn more about our process for fast slab leak detection and repairs.

Examples of restoration costs include:

Fixing a wall or repairing flooring
Replacing the lawn
Replanting bushes or trees
Repaving your driveway or sidewalk

Cost Factor #5: Camera Inspection Fees

Plumbers use special cameras to pinpoint the exact location of an underground leak or a leak that’s not easily visible.

The cost of a camera inspection ranges from $235–$425. Some plumbing companies bundle this fee into the overall cost of the project.

While a camera inspection is an added cost, using a camera to find the source of a leak saves you a lot of money down the road. Camera inspections save the plumber a lot of time, which reduces excavation costs and the overall cost of labor.

Cost Factor #6: Your Choice of Plumber

No matter where your leaking pipe is, you want the assurance the plumber you hire will fix it correctly.

Experienced, reputable plumbing contractors generally charge more for their repair services. But don’t let that prevent you from hiring one.

Hiring an inexperienced or untrustworthy contractor will result in sub-par work, which can lead to future repairs and even damage to your home.

To verify if a contractor is reputable and experienced, we recommend that you do the following:

Confirm that the contractor has a valid plumbing license. That way, you know the plumber is authorized to perform plumbing work in Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, or other Arizona cities.
Make sure the plumber is insured. In the event of an accident, you want the assurance that the plumber will be financially responsible for any damage to your property.
Ask about the warranties and guarantees the contractor offers. High-quality contractors will offer warranties and guarantees on their plumbing repair work.
Check online customer reviews. Find out what other customers are saying on Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google to determine whether or not working with the contractor is a sound decision. Chances are, if the majority of customers had a good experience working with a particular contractor, you will too.

Want a Quote on Your Pipe Leak Repair in Phoenix? Hire Patrick Riley

Schedule appointment today

Our plumbing technicians will visit your home and give you an upfront, honest quote on the cost to fix your leaking pipe. When you hire Patrick Riley Plumbing for the job, you can count on first-class customer service and high-quality repair work that will last for years to come.

We also offer financing options for expensive pipe leak repairs in Gilbert, Chandler, and other parts of Maricopa County.