How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Pipe Leak in Vancouver?

Got a busted pipe? Wondering how much you’ll have to pay to fix it?

Well, the cost to repair a pipe leak in Vancouver depends on whether you need to repair:

• A secondary drain line, which will likely cost somewhere between $99 and $499, with most Vancouver homeowners paying around $300.
• Your main sewer line, which can cost anywhere from $1,500 to over $10,000, the average cost being $6,000.

Why such a big range? Well, your leak repair cost will depend on several factors, including:

1. Location of the pipe leak
2. Material of the pipe (if it needs replaced)
3. Cleanup and cosmetic repairs
4. Local permit fees
5. The plumber you hire

Let’s go over each factor in more detail.

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Cost factor #1: Location of the pipe leak

Your repair cost depends most heavily on whether the leak is located in your main sewer line (carries your home’s wastewater to the public sewer line) or a secondary drain line (carries fixture wastewater to your mainline). Generally, leaks in your mainline are more expensive to repair than ones in secondary drain lines.

Cost to repair a secondary drain line leak

To repair a secondary line leak, expect to pay roughly $99 to $499.

Leaks in secondary drains are easier to repair because the plumbing is easier to access. Although, you might have to pay for cosmetic repairs if your plumber needs to cut into walls or ceilings to access the broken pipe, increasing your cost.

Cost to repair a main sewer line leak

The cost to repair a main sewer line leak can be anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000+.

Leaks in the mainline are more expensive to repair because they’re harder to access. Your plumber will either need to:

• Use a trenchless repair method like pipe bursting or pipe lining. These methods are more affordable and less invasive than the traditional method (trenching).
• Trench your yard (dig to the damaged pipe), which will cost more because it will take the plumber more time and effort. Plus, it will probably cost you more in landscaping repair costs than a trenchless repair method.

Cost factor #2: Material of the pipe

If a portion of your piping needs replaced, pipe material will influence your leak repair cost.

• More expensive pipe materials: copper, concrete, iron, steel, clay
• Less expensive pipe materials: PVC or ABS

The longer and larger the piece of pipe that needs replaced, the more you’ll pay.

Keep in mind: Going with the cheapest pipe material isn’t always a good idea. Some pipe materials work better in certain situations. For example, PVC is used a lot in main water supply and drain lines, while copper is best for hot-water pipes because it’s heat resistant. You plumber will be able to tell you which material you should go with, based on your situation.

Cost factor #3: Cleanup and cosmetic repairs

You’ll likely need to pay for repairs to the working area after your pipe leak is fixed, which will increase your overall leak repair cost.

If the leak is in your secondary drain line, expect to pay for cosmetic repairs like:

• Patching holes in drywall
• Re-tiling showers
• Fixing flood damage from burst pipes

If you need a main sewer line repaired, you might have to pay for landscaping like:

• Repaving your sidewalk or driveway
• Replanting topsoil, bushes, trees or gardens
• Repairing sheds, fences, porches or other structures

Cost factor #4: Local permit fees

The City of Vancouver requires plumbers get a permit for repairing/replacing pipes or making significant changes to your plumbing system.

Local plumbing permits normally have a fee associated with them, which varies depending on the project.

Most plumbers will add the cost of these permit fees to the overall cost of the project. Check with the plumber you hire to see what the permit fee will be to repair your leak.

Cost factor #5: The Vancouver plumber you hire

You’ll pay more for better quality plumbers.

When plumbers charge more for labor, they’re charging for their skill and experience—most of the time. You might run into plumbers who will charge you more even though they’re less qualified than others. To weed out these less-qualified plumbers, you just have to do a bit of research.

When hiring a plumber in Vancouver, we suggest that you:

• Make sure the plumber is licensed and insured, in case anything bad happens during the repair.
• Check their online reviews (Yelp, Google and the Better Business Bureau).
• Get a written estimate, so you know exactly how much you’ll pay from the start.

Need a pipe leak repaired in Vancouver?

One of our trusted plumbers will come out to repair your leak. Learn more about what to expect  on our pipe leak repair service page.