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Hit a Water Pipe With a Nail or Screw? What to Do in Murrieta

By the Murrieta Leak Pros team ·

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Hanging a TV, putting up shelves or adding a baseboard can end with a nail or screw in a water line. Sometimes water sprays out right away. Sometimes the nail plugs the hole and the leak starts weeks later inside the wall. Either way, the next few minutes matter. Call (951) 299-3473 24/7.

If the leak is already inside a wall or under the slab, our leak detection Murrieta CA team can find the exact spot so only a small section of drywall comes out.

What should you do if you nail a water pipe?

Leave the nail or screw in place, because it partly plugs the hole. Turn off the main water valve right away, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure, and put towels under the spot. Then open the drywall around the nail to see the pipe and call for a repair. Do not just patch the wall over it.

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Graphic of 5 steps to take after a nail or screw hits a water pipe
Graphic of 5 steps to take after a nail or screw hits a water pipe

What are the 5 steps?

  1. Leave the fastener in. Pulling it out can turn a drip into a spray.
  2. Shut off the main. Most Murrieta homes have the main valve near the front hose bib or in the garage. See how to shut off water in a leak emergency.
  3. Drain the line. Open a downstairs faucet so the pipe empties.
  4. Cut a small inspection hole. A square about 8 inches wide around the nail lets you see the damage and dry the cavity.
  5. Get the pipe repaired before you turn the water back on. A slip coupling or a short new section is the usual fix.

What if you are not sure you hit a pipe?

  • The nail went in easily, then hit something hard. Copper and PEX feel different from a stud.
  • Your water meter moves when every tap is off. Try our water meter leak test.
  • Paint bubbles, a soft spot or baseboard swelling shows up days later below the nail.
  • You hear water running with nothing on. Read hearing water running with no taps on.

A slow leak behind a wall can grow mold in a few days. Our guide to signs of a leak behind a wall lists more warning signs.

Have a leak? Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Our technicians are standing by 24/7 with the equipment to find your leak fast. No unnecessary digging, no guesswork.

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Which pipes are most at risk?

Pipes are most often hit where they run close to the wall surface: behind kitchen and bathroom walls, under windows, and near the baseboard in a slab home. Building code calls for metal nail plates where pipes pass through studs near the edge, but older or remodeled walls in Murrieta do not always have them.

Use a stud finder with a pipe or AC setting, and keep screws short near sinks, tubs and toilets. PEX lines in newer homes can be easier to pierce than copper. See our guide to PEX pipe leaks.

What does the repair cost?

Most single pipe repairs start from about $300. If the leak went on for a while, drying and drywall repair add to the cost. When the leak is hard to place, water leak detection in Murrieta usually costs about $200 to $550. For bigger pipe problems, see our slab leak repair Murrieta service, and read about leak locating methods.

Frequently asked questions

Should I pull the nail out of a water pipe?

No. Leave it in. It partly seals the hole. Shut off the water and drain the line before anyone removes it.

Can a nail in a pipe leak later?

Yes. A nail can plug the hole for weeks, then corrode or shift and start a slow leak inside the wall.

Can I fix a nail hole in a pipe myself?

A small hole in copper or PEX can be cut out and joined with a push-fit or crimp coupling, but the wall cavity must also be dried. If you are not sure, call a pro.

How much does it cost to fix a punctured water pipe in Murrieta?

Most single pipe repairs start from about $300, plus drywall work. Finding a hidden leak usually costs about $200 to $550.

Prices are approximate estimates for planning. Your final price depends on your property and is confirmed before work begins.

Where can I get help with this in Murrieta?

Murrieta Leak Pros offers Leak Repair & Trenchless Pipe Repair, Water Leak Detection. We serve every Murrieta neighborhood:

We also serve Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, French Valley, Canyon Lake, Hemet and Sun City. See all service areas →

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