Do you have a water leak? You may be able to fix your water line without calling a plumber. The method you use to fix the water line will depend on the type of plumbing pipes used. Depending on when your house was constructed, you may have copper, galvanized steel or PVC lines. Most homes have copper or PVC water pipes as plumbers tend to avoid galvanized steel pipes. 

1. Copper water line repair 

Locate the leak. If the line runs underground, you may only be able to locate the general area where the leak occurs. Drive a stake into the ground close the water meter. Tie a string to the stake and run the string to the point where the water line enters the house. Drive a stake at the foundation of your home and tie the string tight around the stake. This will guide you on the general location of the line. 

Turn off the main water shut-off valve. This should be located next to the meter. You can use an adjustable wrench to turn it off if it doesn’t have a handle or knob. Dig along the string in the general area of the leak. Be careful not to strike the pipe. If there is a leak in more than one place, dig up each section or the entire line. 

Cut the defective section of the copper pipe using a pipe cutter. If the leaking part is a fitting, cut along the fitting about 6 inches at every port for easy installation of the replacement. Allow the pipe to drain completely the use a file to smooth down the ends. If the pipe has oxidized, it may appear black. Rub the end with the file until it that shiny copper color reappears. 

Spread soldering flux on the ends of the pipes and on the inside of the port of the coupler then slide the coupler onto the pipe. Heat the joint with a torch. When the flux begins to smoke, withdraw the heat and touch the joint with a coil of lead-free solder. Move the solder around the joint as it melts until it has filled the joint. 

Cut pipe sections and fittings to reassemble the section your cut. Try the fittings to ensure a good fit. Apply flux on the fittings and repeat the soldering process for each fitting. Turn on the water to check for leaks. 

2. PVC line repair 

Like with the copper line, locate the leak and dig up the line with even greater care not to strike it. Turn off the water and cut out the damaged section using a hacksaw. Allow the pipe to drain. Use sandpaper to smooth down the ends. Spread PVC cement on the inside of the coupler and the outer end of each pipe. Slide the coupler onto the pipe and give it a twist to spread the glue. Hold the coupler in place for a about 10 seconds to allow the cement to dry. 

Cut the pieces you need to reassemble the section and check them for fit. Take each section and apply cement on the pieces to glue them together.