HOME & FAMILY

Water Line Leaks

Leaks on a pressurized water line cause a lot of damage, especially if they are not found quickly. They range from a refrigerator or dishwasher supply to broken or loose pipes in a basement or crawlspace. This page is for leaks you can easily see (or step into).

Visible leaks by type

Refrigerator leaks

Water and ice maker supply lines at the refrigerator: a broken copper ice maker line, a pinhole in that supply, a faulty valve dripping at the dispenser, or a temporary shutoff when the fridge line has no valve.

This video shows you how to repair a broken copper water line (to your refrigerator’s ice maker) with a plastic water line.

Thanks to Jake Berzon for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you how to repair a broken copper water line with a braided water line.

Thanks to jeffostroff for the YouTube video.

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This four-part video shows you how to repair a pinhole leak in the ice maker’s water supply line.

Thanks to VideoJoeKnows for the YouTube videos.

Part 1 ↗ Part 2 ↗ Part 3 ↗ Part 4 ↗

This video shows you how to replace a faulty valve in the water supply line which is causing a drip at the water dispenser.

Thanks to AdamDIY for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you how to temporarily terminate a water supply line if you need to disconnect the water line from your refrigerator and it doesn’t already have a valve.

Thanks to minthillbilly for the YouTube video.

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Under sink leaks

Under-sink and toilet supply lines in the kitchen or bathroom: a leak at the valve handle stem or packing nut, a leaking sink or toilet supply valve, or a leaking sink supply line.

This video shows you a quick fix for a water line valve where the leak is around the stem of the handle or the packing nut. This fix may keep you from having to replace the valve right now.

Thanks to seejanedrill for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you how to replace a leaking sink or toilet water supply valve.

Thanks to Home Repair Tutor for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you how to replace a leaking sink water supply line.

Thanks to Cory Cordell for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you how to first replace a leaking sink water supply valve. Then the videographer discovers that the faucet’s line is leaking and replaces the faucet also.

Thanks to Lyon Construction for the YouTube video.

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Dishwasher water leaks

Leaks around the dishwasher: finding the cause, water spilling from the sink air gap, the supply line from under the sink, a leaking supply valve, the drain hose, and reaching hoses by moving the dishwasher.

This video shows how to find out what is causing water leaks from the dishwasher.

Thanks to Sears PartsDirect for the YouTube video.

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This video shows you a quick fix for when water is spilling out of the air gap at the sink.

Thanks to Sam for the YouTube video.

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This video shows how to replace the water supply line from under the sink to the dishwasher.

Thanks to Grass Roots Organic Lawn Care for the YouTube video.

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This video shows how to replace a leaking water supply valve without moving the dishwasher.

Thanks to DDIY GUY Danny Jose for the YouTube video.

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This video shows how to replace the drain hose without moving the dishwasher.

Thanks to This Old House for the YouTube video.

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This video shows how to move the dishwasher to get access to the leaking hoses or components.

Thanks to AppliancePartsPros for the YouTube video.

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Clothes washer leaks

Leaks around the clothes washer: simple checks to find where it is leaking, and what to do before repairs begin.

This video shows some simple things to do to find out where your clothes washer is leaking plus things to do before repairs can begin.

Thanks to Repair.com for the YouTube video.

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This is a good video which goes into depth on diagnosing clothes washer leaks.

Grandpa TJ: It also makes a big pitch to supply parts for the repair. I haven’t used them so I don’t have any feedback on their service. If you order from them, let me know how they did.

Thanks to AppliancePartsPros for the YouTube video.

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Copper water lines

Leaks in the permanent copper supply line, not the appliance. Check local building codes before any permanent repair. This section covers eight copper repairs, temporary and code-level, and changing pipe type, such as PEX to bypass a leaking copper run. If you are in doubt, talk to a plumber.

This video shows 8 ways to repair copper pipes, both temporary (non-code) and permanent repairs that will pass inspection. If you are in doubt, talk to a plumber.

Thanks to Got2Learn for the YouTube video.

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If you decide to change from one type of pipe to another (for example using PEX to bypass a leaking copper run), this video shows how to make those transitions.

Thanks to Got2Learn for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Other leaks

For more information on locating and repairing other kinds of water supply line leaks, click on the Next: Hidden Water Line Leaks button (below).

Plumbers

If you decide that you would rather hire a professional plumber for the job, start with the hiring guide: insurance, questions to ask, and a phone ballpark before they see the job.

Call a Plumber - What you need to know

A temporary fix still counts

These repairs range from easy to difficult, but they can save a lot compared with hiring a plumber. A temporary fix, or shutting the water off where the leak is, can also save a day off work waiting for one.

Where to next?

Back: Leaky Toilet DIY Start over: Water Leaks at Home Next: Hidden Water Line Leaks

Need help with your situation?

Email Grandpa TJ for free, unbiased advice, or join the Inner Circle when you need a real conversation with a real person.

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