Leaking pipe repair in Exeter
Professional leaking pipe repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Leaking pipes repaired properly to stop water damage. I locate the leak, fix it permanently (not temporary patch), and leave you with reliable plumbing that won't leak again.
Small Leak, Big Problem
That slow drip you're ignoring? It's rotting your floor joists, damaging ceilings, growing mould, and wasting hundreds of liters of water. Leaking pipes don't fix themselves - they get worse until something serious fails.
💡 Pro tip: If your water meter's spinning when all taps are off, you've got a leak somewhere. Could be tiny, could be hidden, but you're paying for water that's going straight into your house structure. Get it found and fixed.
Proper Repair vs Temporary Patch
When a pipe leaks, you can bodge it or fix it properly:
| ✅ Fixed Properly | ❌ Temporary Patch |
|---|---|
| Leak cause identified and fixed | Just stop the drip, don't ask why |
| Damaged section replaced | Tape wrapped around, fingers crossed |
| Pipe assessed for other weak spots | Fix this leak, ignore the next one coming |
| System tested under full pressure | Hope it holds |
| Cause addressed (lag pipes, etc) | It'll probably leak again soon |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find exact location of leak |
| Isolate | Turn off water to that section |
| Repair | Cut out damaged section, fit new pipe/joint |
| Test | Full pressure test before finishing |
| Advise | Explain cause, how to prevent recurrence |
📦 You're Left With
- Leak stopped completely
- Proper permanent repair
- System tested leak-free
- Understanding of what caused it
- Advice on preventing future leaks
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible leak (under sink, in loft) | 1-1.5 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Hidden leak requiring access | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Multiple leaks or extensive damage | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials extra. Making good (plastering etc) quoted separately if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Active leak - water dripping or running now
✅ Damp patches - signs of hidden leak
✅ After freeze - pipe thawed and now leaking
✅ Reduced pressure - leak's wasting water somewhere
Why Choose Us for Leaking pipe repair in Exeter?
Leak stopped permanently
Cause identified and fixed
Proper repair, not temporary patch
Minimize water damage
What to Expect
Step 1: Locate The Leak
Sometimes obvious (dripping under sink), sometimes hidden (damp ceiling patch). I'll trace pipework and find exactly where water's escaping.
Step 2: Isolate Supply
Turn off water to the affected section - local isolation valve if there is one, or main stopcock if not. Stops more water leaking while I work.
Step 3: Access The Leak
If it's accessible (under sink, behind bath panel, in loft), straightforward. If it's buried in a wall or floor, I need to access it - smallest opening possible, make good after.
Step 4: Repair
Cut out the damaged section of pipe, fit new pipe or coupling with proper compression fittings. If the whole run's corroded, might replace the entire section to prevent another leak soon.
Step 5: Test
Turn water back on slowly, check the repair holds at full pressure. Run taps, flush toilets, use the system properly to make sure it's solid.
Step 6: Make Good & Advise
Close up any access I had to make, clean up, explain what caused the leak and how to prevent it happening again (lag pipes, replace old sections, etc).
🔧 DIY Tips
Temporary leak repair is sometimes necessary before professional help arrives:
🔧 Emergency tools
- Pipe repair clamp (best temporary fix)
- Pipe repair tape (self-amalgamating tape)
- PTFE tape (for threaded connections)
- Towels and bucket
- Adjustable spanner
💧 Temporary emergency repair
- Turn off water - stopcock, stop more damage
- Dry the pipe - repair tape won't stick to wet surfaces
- Apply repair - clamp or tape (follow product instructions)
- Turn water on gently - check temporary fix holds
- Call proper repair - temporary fixes are temporary!
⚠️ Emergency mistakes
- Not turning water off first (can't repair while it's spraying)
- Trying to solder wet pipes (impossible, dangerous)
- Using tape on high-pressure leaks (blows off)
- Thinking temporary fix is permanent (it's not!)
💡 Pro trick: Self-amalgamating tape (silicone tape) is brilliant for emergency pipe repairs. Wrap it tight around the leak, overlapping each layer. It fuses to itself and creates a waterproof seal. Still temporary, but holds better than normal tape.
When to call emergency plumber: If the leak's serious (water pouring out), if you can't turn it off, or if it's damaging electrics. Don't try to be a hero - call someone.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
❄️ Freeze damage - main cause of winter pipe leaks. Water freezes in pipes, expands, splits the copper. When it thaws, it leaks. Prevention: lag pipes in lofts and unheated spaces, leave heating on low if you go away in winter.
Old lead pipes - common in Exeter's Victorian houses. They don't leak often, but when they do, it's time to replace rather than repair. Lead's been phased out for health reasons anyway.
Compression joints - older houses often have compression joints in pipework. These can start weeping after decades. Sometimes retightening works, sometimes the olive's worn and needs replacing.
Pin hole leaks - tiny holes from corrosion. Sign the pipe's past its best. Repair the leak but consider replacing that pipe run before you get more leaks.
Insurance claims - take photos of the damage before and after repair. You'll need them for insurance claims. Keep the invoice too - insurers want detailed receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I've got a leaking pipe?
Signs are damp patches on walls/ceilings, water pooling under sinks/behind appliances, reduced water pressure, sound of running water when nothing's on, or your water meter spinning when all taps are off. Don't ignore it - small leaks become big problems.
Can you fix leaking pipes without ripping walls out?
Depends where the leak is. If it's accessible (under sink, in loft, behind bath panel), yes - easy fix. If it's buried in a wall or under a concrete floor, we might need to access it. I'll find the least destructive way and make good after.
Should I turn my water off if I've got a leaking pipe?
If it's actively dripping, yes - turn off at the stopcock to minimize damage while you wait for repair. If it's just a damp patch and not actively flowing, you can leave it on until I arrive, but keep an eye on it.
Will you replace the whole pipe or just the leaking bit?
Depends on the pipe condition. If it's a one-off leak in otherwise good pipe (freeze damage, accidental knock), I'll just repair that section. If the pipe's corroded or old, I'll replace the whole run to save you having another leak next month.
Can you tell me why the pipe's leaking?
Usually yes - freeze damage, corrosion, poor joint, accidental damage, or just age. Once I've got the leak fixed, I'll explain what caused it so you can prevent it happening again (lag pipes, replace old pipework, etc).
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