513-776-8485

Pipe Repair & Replacement: warning signs to watch for

  • A pipe that has burst or split
  • Water stains on ceilings or walls below plumbing
  • Pipes that froze and may have cracked
  • Repeated pinhole leaks in copper lines
  • Low pressure or rusty water from galvanized pipes
  • Exposed pipes that are visibly corroded or dripping

Call 513-776-8485

Close up of a plumber checking a wall for a hidden water leak

What to do if a pipe bursts

  • Shut off the main water valve. In most Cincinnati area homes it's in the basement on the front wall, next to the meter.
  • Turn off power to any area where water is near outlets or appliances.
  • Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the remaining water out of the pipes.
  • Photograph the damage for your insurer, then start drying the area.
  • Call for a plumber. See emergency plumbing if water is still coming in.

Frozen pipe repair in Cincinnati winters

Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces, garages and unheated porches are the ones most likely to freeze when temperatures drop into the teens. If a pipe freezes, open the faucet it feeds and warm the area gently with a space heater or hair dryer, never an open flame. A frozen pipe has often already split, and the leak only shows once it thaws, so keep an eye on it. A plumber can repair the split, then reroute or insulate the vulnerable section, or add a frost free hose bib.

Pinhole leaks and corroded pipes

Repeated pinhole leaks in copper usually point to water chemistry, high velocity or age, and patching one leak often means another appears nearby. Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside, which slowly cuts water pressure and causes rusty water. In both cases, replacing the affected run is usually better value than repeated spot repairs.

Repair or repipe?

Repair makes sense for a single burst or damaged section in otherwise sound pipe. Repiping makes sense when leaks keep happening, pressure is poor throughout the house, or the home still has galvanized supply lines. A whole house repipe replaces all the supply lines, usually with PEX or copper. See lead pipe replacement & repiping, including historic home repiping, and the cost guide.

How it works

  1. Call 513-776-8485

    It is free to call, and calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tell us what is happening and where you are.

  2. We connect you

    We route you to an independent, licensed plumbing contractor who serves your area.

  3. Get a clear quote

    The plumber explains the problem and prices the work before it starts.

  4. You decide

    You approve the work, and the contractor completes it with any permits your city or county requires.

Plumbers in Cincinnati Today is a referral service and does not perform plumbing work. Before work begins, check your contractor's license: in Ohio through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) and your local jurisdiction, in Kentucky through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, and in Indiana through the Indiana Plumbing Commission.

Pipe Repair across Cincinnati and the Tristate

We connect customers across Cincinnati, from Hyde Park, Oakley, Mt. Lookout, Clifton, Northside, Westwood to Mt. Washington and Pleasant Ridge, throughout Hamilton County, and in nearby cities including:

See all service areas

Related plumbing services

Plumber using an acoustic leak detector on a floor in a Cincinnati home

Leak Detection & Water Lines

Professional leak detection finds hidden leaks in walls, floors, slabs and underground water lines without tearing things apart.

Leak Detection in Cincinnati
Old lead water service line next to new copper pipe at a basement water meter

Lead Pipe Replacement & Repiping

Many homes built in Cincinnati before the mid 20th century were connected to the water main with lead service lines, and many older homes also have corroded galvanized steel pipes inside.

Lead Pipe Replacement in Cincinnati
Plumber shutting off a main water valve in a Cincinnati basement during a nighttime emergency call

24/7 Emergency Plumber

Water coming through the ceiling or sewage in the basement? Call 513-776-8485 any time, day or night, to be connected with a licensed emergency plumber who serves Cincinnati and the Tristate.

Emergency Plumber in Cincinnati

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

Many policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe, but not the repair of a pipe that failed from wear or long term leaking. Check your policy and photograph everything before cleanup.

How can I prevent frozen pipes?

Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, open cabinet doors on exterior walls during cold snaps, disconnect garden hoses, shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and insulate pipes in unheated spaces. Letting a tap drip during extreme cold also helps.

How long does pipe repair take?

A single accessible section is often repaired in an hour or two. Whole house repiping usually takes a few days.

PEX or copper for pipe replacement?

Both are approved for drinking water. PEX is flexible, faster to install and resists freeze damage better. Copper is long proven and durable. Many plumbers use both.

Plumbing problem right now? One call connects you with a licensed local plumber.

Call 513-776-8485
Call 513-776-8485