After all, if you accidentally hit a water pipe, it can be extremely annoying – and take a lot of effort to repair (much more effort than checking the wall for pipes beforehand). Read on to find out what you can do if it happens to you, and how to minimise the risk in the first place.
Tap the Wall: Gently tap on the wall with a hammer or your knuckles. Listen for a hollow sound, which usually indicates a space without pipes. A solid sound may suggest the presence of a pipe or conduit. Look for Outlets and Fixtures: Electrical conduits usually run near outlets, switches, and other fixtures.
Damaging a gas pipe can result in: A major fire or explosion which can cause death or serious injury. Disruption to gas supplies and claims for compensation. Claims for costs to repair the damage.
A first-aid kit for drilled water pipes. If your drill accidentally hits a water pipe, every second counts. The more water that spurts out of the pipe, the greater the damage to your home. By taking these five steps, you should hopefully be able to keep this damage to a minimum.
Finally, your most up front sign that you've drilled through an electrical wire will be the bang and possible flash as the wires short out.
If no other damage has happened, call a plumbing professional to come out and repair the problem. Just make sure to describe the situation thoroughly so the plumber arrives prepared. But if that little leak turns into a home makeover, it's time to contact a water damage restoration company.
Tape: Duct tape and electrical tape can temporarily fix small pipe leaks. Dry the area entirely and flatten the tape along the pipe for a good seal without pockets of water.
Turn off the mains stop valve (often referred to as stopcock), this should stop the flow of water. Then call a plumber. Make sure you know where your stop valve is (often under the kitchen sink) and test it regularly to ensure you can turn the valve on and off freely.
Structural Damage: Incorrectly drilling into a stud can weaken the wall's structural integrity.
To fix a broken water pipe, homeowners can expect varying costs depending on the damage's severity and location. Minor DIY repairs might cost between $10-$50, while professional services range from $50 to $600, escalating in emergencies. For extensive damage, such as pipes under a foundation, costs can be $500-$4,000.
If repairs are required, you'll have to arrange and pay for it yourself. Always get a professional Gas Safe-registered engineer to install any new appliances or pipework.
We locate gas leaks by inducing helium into the gas lines and using a sensitive helium “sniffer” to identify where walls may need to be opened if the leak is not found at any exposed section of pipe. Sometimes we can get hits via gaps in the walls around outlets and switches or coming up through the floor upstairs.
You'll likely know if you drill into a water pipe in your home. If the sound of a screw cutting into something other than wood and plaster doesn't tip you off, the leaking water will. Depending on the hole's size, the water will burble out or stream-line out.
Investing in professional equipment, such as a cable avoidance tool, is the safest option to avoid wires. However, if you don't have access to this, most wiring runs horizontally 6 inches or 12 inches above the receptacle, so avoid these areas. If it is possible, only drill shallow holes.
If you suspect that an electric cable has been hit, it is absolutely necessary to repair it. You should immediately ensure that the power is switched off before touching anything. In the worst case, if the protective earth conductor has been damaged you otherwise run the risk of a fatal electric shock.
When a gas line is hit, you or your contractor should evacuate the area and call 911 immediately. If anyone is injured, they should seek medical treatment. The contractor or repair crew should shut off the gas line and attend to it as soon as possible.
Common leak-test methods are pressure and vacuum decay, tracer gas detectors, and a bubble soap leak detector. Trades and homeowners alike can use a bubble soap leak detector to check piping systems for leaks.
On average, repairing a gas line costs $598, but prices range from $271 to $935, depending on materials and pipe length. A gas plumber can estimate your costs. The average gas line repair cost falls around $598, or about $15 to $25 per linear foot.