Last reviewed and updated: 2026-09-24
Once a leak is located, there are four realistic paths: a spot repair on the failed section, a reroute that abandons the failed run, a partial repipe of one zone, or a full repipe of the house. The right choice depends on the pipe material, how accessible the failure is, and how many times the system has already failed. A first failure in sound copper usually justifies a spot repair; polybutylene, or copper that has failed under the slab before, usually does not.
Repair is quoted only after the leak is located, because until then nobody can price it. Detection is quoted separately, and a repair receipt is what unlocks a Cobb County leak credit.
The four options compared
| Option | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One failure, sound pipe elsewhere, reasonable access | Does nothing for the rest of an ageing system |
| Reroute | A slab run can be abandoned and re-run overhead or through walls | Trades concrete work for drywall work; not always possible |
| Partial repipe | One zone or one material has failed repeatedly | Leaves the rest of the original system in place |
| Full repipe | Polybutylene anywhere, or repeated failures across the system | Highest upfront cost and the most disruption, but it ends the cycle |
What actually decides it
- Pipe material. Polybutylene is the clearest case for repiping, because the material itself fails. Sound copper with one corrosion pinhole is the clearest case for a spot repair.
- Failure history. A first failure is an event. A third is a pattern, and patterns do not stop.
- Access. A leak under an unfinished utility room floor is a different job from one under a tiled kitchen island. Access often costs more than the plumbing.
- What is already open. If walls or floors are already open for damage repair, the marginal cost of repiping drops significantly.
- How long you are staying. A spot repair may be entirely rational if you are selling, but it is disclosable.
Document the repair before it closes
This is the step most people miss, and it costs them money twice. Both Cobb County Water System and Marietta Power & Water require evidence that the leak was corrected before they will apply a leak credit, Cobb accepts a repair receipt, a parts receipt, or at minimum a letter explaining what was done. Insurers want the probable cause and an assessment of whether the failure was sudden or gradual.
All of that is easy to capture while the repair is open and effectively impossible once the slab is repoured and the wall is patched.
Ask for these before the job closes
- Photographs before opening, with the failed pipe exposed, and after repair
- A written statement of what failed and the probable cause
- The itemised repair invoice, separate from any detection documentation
- Any leak detection report produced during location
- Digital copies emailed to you, not only a paper slip
Frequently asked questions
Should I spot repair or repipe?
A first failure in otherwise sound copper usually justifies a spot repair or a reroute. Polybutylene anywhere in the house, or copper that has already failed under the slab before, usually justifies repiping, because in those cases the material itself is what is failing and patching becomes a recurring expense.
What is a reroute?
Abandoning a failed pipe run in place and installing a new one along a different path, typically overhead through the attic or through walls instead of under the slab. It avoids cutting concrete, at the cost of drywall work, and is not possible on every layout.
Is repiping worth it?
It depends on material and history. On a polybutylene system, or one that has failed repeatedly, repiping ends an ongoing cycle of repair costs, water loss and damage. On a sound copper system with a single corrosion pinhole, it is usually unnecessary.
Do I need to document the repair?
Yes, in your own interest. Both Cobb County Water System and Marietta Power & Water require evidence the leak was corrected before applying a leak credit, and insurers need the probable cause and a sudden-versus-gradual assessment. Capture it while the repair is still open.
Does the repair cost more than the detection?
Almost always. Detection is a fixed diagnostic; repair cost swings widely with access. Reaching a leak through a small opening in a utility room is a very different job from reaching one under a tiled kitchen island, which is why the repair cannot be quoted before the leak is located.
I am selling the house. Can I just do a spot repair?
It may be entirely rational, but it is disclosable, and a buyer's inspection will typically identify the pipe material anyway. Polybutylene in particular routinely comes up at inspection and gets priced into offers.