Leak Repair

Various factors affect the cost of repairing a leak. They are: the location of the leak, the nature and extent of damage caused by the leak, the types of materials required for the repair, and, of course, labor costs. On average, leak repair is not a very expensive venture for most homeowners. Typical repairs might set you back anywhere from $150 to $1,000. The lower end of that range might cover more straightforward jobs, while the upper end could represent the more complex and damage-intensive issues that turn up sometimes.

Several factors influence the cost of detecting a leak, and they can run the gamut from simple to complex. If we take as our starting point the average cost of detection, which is somewhere in the range of $100 to $500, we see that this number shades upward to accommodate the straightforward tasks that are asking for a reasonable labor rate. Yet, if your situation is more involved—if the leak is in a hard-to-reach place or if the path of least resistance has been compromised—you could be looking at a charge not just for a reasonable hourly wage but also for some pretty sophisticated detection gear.

Finding and fixing a leak can be a very tricky and costly business—in almost all instances, it's much cheaper to avoid leaks in the first place. Why the high cost? It depends on many things, including how bad the leak is, where it is (not all locations are equally easy to access), what kind of infrastructure is involved (some modern building materials and methods are better at containing water than others), and how much labor and equipment it's going to take to do the job right. Add it all up, and the average price for leak detection and repair ranges from 100 to 500.

Indeed, a leaking pipeline can be mended without a full replacement by employing pipe repair clamps, epoxy putty, or pipe repair tape. Each of these methods can serve as a stopgap or provide a permanent fix depending on the kind of leak and the necessitated mending of the pipeline.

The type and amount of insurance that will cover the repair of a water leak depends on the specific policy and the cause of the leak. Usually, leaks that are sudden and accidental might be covered, while leaks that are gradual and the result of a maintenance issue probably are not. In all cases, it is prudent to check your specific policy or talk with your insurance agent to get the details on what is covered.

How long it takes to fix a leak depends on how bad the leak is, where the leak is located, and what materials and methods are necessary to make the repair. Small leaks that are easy to get to may take only a couple of hours to fix, but larger leaks that aren't so easy to get to might take several hours or even days to repair. Assessing the individual situation is key to coming up with an accurate time estimate.

If a water company finds a leak on the customer’s side of the property line, it may charge the customer for the lost water. After all, we don’t live on a giant wetland; there’s a limit to how much water can come out of the ground and still stay inside. Most customers are responsible for the plumbing on their side of the property line, and that includes the plumbing that runs from the property line to the meter. If there's a leak there, it’s the customer's problem. Still, some water companies have programs that similar to "forgiveness programs" banks have for customers who are having trouble paying their mortgages.

To successfully claim water leak insurance, document the damage with photos and videos as proof. As soon as you can, tell the insurance company about the leak, and follow any specific procedures they have for this kind of claim. Give them all the necessary information, including a blow-by-blow account of the leak's backstory: how it happened, when it was discovered, and what you did to stop the leak from doing more damage (if you did anything besides call the plumber). Get estimates for necessary repairs from licensed professionals. Keep and make good use of any records tied to your claim. Communicate with the adjuster working your case, and do it in a way and at a pace that keeps your claim from being sidelined.

Who pays for a water leak depends on where the leak is and the particular situation involved. If a leak is on the property owner's side of the water meter, the property owner should expect to pay for the repair. If the water leak is on the municipality's side of the water meter, then the local water authority or municipality usually handles the repair and pays for it. Regular plumbing inspections and good maintenance can decrease the chances of a leak occurring—and thus save property owners money.

A licensed plumber should be contacted to find out about and fix the dripping water.