Pipe problems in St. Louis homes follow a predictable pattern driven by the age of the housing stock. A significant portion of homes in Central West End, Soulard, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove South, and across North City were built before 1950 — and many still have original galvanized steel supply lines. For active pipe bursts, our emergency plumbing service provides 24/7 response.
Types of Pipe Repair We Handle in St. Louis
Pipe Leak Repair
Pinhole leaks in copper, section failures in galvanized, and joint leaks in older threaded connections.
View Pipe Leak Repair detailsSection Pipe Replacement
When a section of pipe has corroded or failed beyond a single spot, we replace the full run between connection points.
View Section Pipe Replacement detailsWhole-Home Repiping
When galvanized supply lines throughout the home are corroded to the point where pressure is affected in all fixtures. Modern PEX repiping is freeze-tolerant and has a 50+ year service life.
View Whole-Home Repiping detailsLeak Detection
Advanced leak detection technology to find hidden leaks without demolition.
View Leak Detection detailsWhich Pipe Repair Service Do You Need?
"I have a single dripping joint or pinhole leak"
→ You likely need: Pipe Leak Repair — spot repair, typically same-day
"My hot water pressure has dropped in one part of the house"
→ You likely need: Section Replacement — galvanized scale reducing flow in a single branch line
"Hot water pressure is low throughout the entire house"
→ You likely need: Whole-Home Repiping assessment — galvanized pipe usually the cause in pre-1970 St. Louis homes
"My hot water runs brown or rust-colored first thing in the morning"
→ You likely need: Galvanized corrosion — rust particles entering the water from the pipe interior; repiping consultation recommended
"I've had two or three leaks in different spots in the last few years"
→ You likely need: Multiple failure points = systemically compromised galvanized pipe; repiping assessment
How We Diagnose and Repair Pipes
Locate and Assess
We locate the leak or failure point and assess the surrounding pipe. When we suspect galvanized corrosion, we check water pressure at multiple fixtures and test the hot-water-only pressure — galvanized corrosion affects hot water first.
Repair or Replace the Affected Pipe
Spot repair: cut out the failed section, install a compression coupling. Section replacement: isolate and replace the full run. Full repiping: replace all galvanized with PEX — typically completed in 1–2 days.
Pressure Test and Restore
After any pipe repair, we run a pressure test to confirm there are no additional failure points. For repiping jobs, we flow-test all fixtures before closing access points.
What Affects Pipe Repair Cost?
Spot leak repair
Single pinhole or joint leak: $200–$450 depending on access difficulty (visible pipe in basement vs. inside a finished wall).
Section replacement
Single branch line, 10–20 feet: $350–$800. Galvanized-to-copper or galvanized-to-PEX adds fitting cost but is standard.
Whole-home PEX repiping
1,000–1,500 sq ft home: $3,500–$6,000. 1,500–2,500 sq ft: $5,500–$9,000. PEX repiping is typically 20–30% less expensive than copper.
Wall access and patching
Opening drywall to access a hidden pipe leak adds $150–$400 per access point. Patching may not be included — clarify upfront.
Emergency response
Active pipe leak causing water damage: same-day or after-hours response adds $75–$150.
What Our Customers Say
"Had a pinhole leak in the copper supply line to the upstairs bathroom. Plumber found it fast, cut out the failed section, and explained that the rest of the copper run was still in good shape. Clean repair, no drywall damage."
"Hot water pressure had been declining for two years. Plumber did the hot-water-only pressure test, confirmed it was the galvanized supply lines. Whole-home PEX repipe done in two days. Pressure is like a different house."
"Second galvanized pipe leak in eight months. Plumber was straight with us — the pipe throughout the house is at end of life, spot repairs aren't the answer. Appreciated the honest assessment."