If you’ve ever tried to fix a plumbing problem in your house, you know that sometimes it can be difficult to access the pipes that need service. Even in new construction, it can be difficult to get to the pipes where the walls meet the floor because they are often behind the finish materials like drywall and flooring. If you are unfortunate enough to have a plumbing issue that can’t be fixed without removing those materials, it’s not the end of the world. However, it’s also not exactly the best way to spend your day. It’s much more efficient (and less messy) to access the pipes from the inside than the outside. That’s where plumbers come in handy. If you need help getting to the pipes behind your walls, there are a few things that can help you out.

Find The Right Holes

The first thing that will help you get to the pipes behind the walls is to find the right holes. To do this, you’ll need to find out where the pipes are in relation to the wall. This can be done with a few methods. You could ask the homeowner, or you could simply notice the pipes in the wall as you explore the house. If you’re not sure where the pipes are, you can mark them with a piece of tape and move on to the next step.Once you know where the pipes are, you can start looking for the holes that will let you access them. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, here is a quick overview of the different ways to get to a pipe:

Basement, Crawlspace, or Attic PVC Pipe Holes

If you find a PVC pipe in your wall that you can’t get to, you can break it open with a crowbar, hammer, or prying tool. This will let you access the pipes behind the wall. There are also PVC pipe holes in the basement, crawlspace, or attic. These are often used for water in-floor heating systems. They are large enough to fit a pipe wrench in, allowing you to get to the pipes inside.

Concrete Wall Pipe Holes

Concrete walls are one of the most common places to access a cast iron pipe. The pipes are often cast into the wall, and sometimes they’re even welded to the wall. If you find a pipe like this in your wall, you can break it open with a crowbar or prying bar. If you can find a crack in the pipe, you can pry it open and get to the cast iron pipe inside.

Copper and Copper Pipe Holes

Copper pipes are not as common as they used to be, but they are still a part of many older homes. If you have a copper pipe behind your wall, you can break it open with a prying tool. Once you have access to the copper pipe, you can use a pipe wrench to get to the iron pipe inside.

Steel and Steel Pipe Holes

These pipes are less common than the other types of pipes listed, but they can be found in older homes. If you find a steel pipe in your wall, you can break it open with a prying tool. Once you have access to the steel pipe, you can use a pipe wrench to get to the iron pipe inside.

Finding Small Holes

All of the above-mentioned pipe types can be found behind drywall and other materials, but there are also pipes that aren’t as common. These include steel ductile iron pipe, copper conduit, rigid plastic pipe, and corrugated metal pipe. If you find a pipe like this in your wall, you can break it open with a prying tool. Once you have access to the pipe, you can use a pipe wrench to get to the iron pipe inside.

Finding Large Holes

Aside from the above-mentioned pipes, you can also find large-diameter pipes behind drywall. These include water main or fire hydrant pipes and storm sewer pipes. If you find one of these pipes in your wall, you can break it open with a prying tool. Once you have access to the pipes, you can use a pipe wrench to get to the iron pipe inside.

Conclusion

When you have to work on your plumbing, the hardest part is often dealing with the walls. It can be difficult to get to the pipes behind the walls, and other methods of access can be messy and time-consuming. If you need to get to the pipes behind the walls, there are a few things you can do to help make the process easier.