Many people who face this kind of price tag wonder if they can get away with patching their pipes. But if the sewer line is old there are almost certainly bathtub other bad spots that will give you problems now or in the near future. A series of patch jobs isn't cheap. In the long run, it just makes more sense to replace the entire line.
Be cautious. If you've just become aware of a problem with water line repair in your home, there are a few steps you should take. First, if there's a lot of water (such as from flooding), you should turn off your electricity to avoid electrocution. Also, don't use your regular household appliances (such as a vacuum cleaner) to remove water. If the water is contaminated (such as from a sewage line), you and your family should leave the home so that you don't get sick. Finally, if the water is from a leak, try to locate the leak's source and turn off the water to prevent further damage.
There may be more pipes in your home than you think. Your home gets all the water it needs, either from a municipal water connection or from a well, through one central pipe, which branches out and distributes water to all the other places in your home that need it. These pipes run under your floors and sometimes through your walls. Most of the time, they take care of themselves and you never need to think about them.
Depending on your repair job you might need a bucket that will fit below the sink trap, as well as some rags and newspaper. Masking tape is useful for labeling and for wrapping around the heads of the wrench to protect your chrome tap handles. Rubber gloves are recommended, particularly when working with the toilet, but there are greases and glues that you may not want on your hands.
Ventilation and insulation are important throughout your house, and especially in crawl spaces and attics. If you have a crawl space in your home, it's best to water line repair the floor with a good quality, heavy-duty plastic. Inside your home, make sure to use the exhaust fans found in most kitchens, bathroom and laundry rooms.
From your own point of view, it is important that the plumber be trustworthy and credible. Ensure the plumber comes with at least two strong references which you can verify. This will help you be more secure and suffer less anxiety.
Find out if the plumber works on a 24 hour basis and, if so, what are the extra charges involved. More important than the costs however are the person's trustworthiness and reputation. After all, he or she will be in your home and around your possessions. You should feel comfortable with their presence and confident that they are honest.