The Main Water Shutoff
Water damage is a homeowner's worst nightmare. You need to know how to stop water fast. Find your main water shutoff valve today. It is usually in the basement, in a crawlspace, or outside near the street. Turning this valve stops all water flowing into your house. Do this immediately if a pipe bursts. Read up on handling home emergencies so you are prepared to act quickly.
The Supply Lines
The supply system brings clean water to your sinks and showers under pressure. If you poke a hole in a supply line, water sprays everywhere. Older homes might have galvanized steel or copper pipes. Newer homes mostly use flexible plastic tubing called PEX.
| Pipe Material | Average Lifespan | Typical Repair Cost | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 50 to 70 years | $300 to $500 | Pinholes from acidic water. |
| PEX | 40 to 50 years | $150 to $300 | Rodents can chew through it. |
| Galvanized Steel | 40 to 50 years | $400 to $800 | Rusts inside, lowers water pressure. |
| CPVC | 30 to 50 years | $200 to $400 | Gets brittle and snaps easily. |
Keep in mind that all plumbing costs vary widely by your region, the scope of the job, and the age of your home.
Drains and Vents
Drains do not use pressure. They rely on gravity to pull wastewater out of your house. This means drain pipes are larger and slope downward. Every drain has a curved pipe underneath called a P trap. This trap holds a small amount of water to block sewer gas from entering your home. If a guest bathroom smells bad, the trap might be dry. You can often fix smells and odors just by running the water for a minute to refill that trap.
Drains also need air to flow smoothly. Vent pipes stick out of your roof to let air in and gas out. If your sinks gurgle when they drain, you might have a blocked vent on your roof.
Water Heaters
Your water heater works hard every single day. Traditional tank heaters store 40 to 50 gallons of hot water. Tankless heaters heat water on demand. A standard tank heater lasts 8 to 12 years. You can extend its life by flushing the sediment out of the bottom once a year. You should also check the anode rod. This is a metal rod inside the tank that attracts rust so the tank itself does not rust away.
Average Water Heater Replacement Costs
Remember that replacement costs vary by region, scope, and home age.
Common Leaks and Water Damage
Small leaks destroy homes slowly. A running toilet wastes hundreds of gallons of water a day. A dripping pipe inside a wall rots wood and grows mold. Check the rubber supply hoses behind your washing machine and toilets. If they look cracked or feel stiff, replace them with braided stainless steel hoses. Stainless hoses cost $15 to $30 and rarely burst.
If water does soak your ceiling, you will need to cut out the wet spots and patch the drywall. Check our guide to interior paint and drywall for help making it look new again.
When to Call a Pro
You can fix a lot of plumbing issues yourself. Unclogging a sink or swapping a showerhead is easy work. But messing with the main stack or moving water lines requires a permit and serious skill. Read our advice on DIY versus hiring a pro before you cut into a pipe. A bad plumbing job will flood your house. Plumbers usually charge $100 to $200 per hour. Paying for an hour of expert help is always cheaper than replacing ruined floors.