Burst Pipe? What to Do Right Now
Shut off the water first. Everything else can wait a minute.
Call (747) 500-1000Right Now
- Close the main shutoff valve, or the valve on the leaking fixture.
- If the water heater is leaking, close the cold-water valve on top and turn off its gas or power.
- Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker, only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry.
- Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain the remaining water from the lines.
- Take photos and video, then call a plumber for the pipe and a drying company for the water.
Finding Your Main Shutoff
In most Los Angeles homes, the main valve is near the front of the house where the water line comes in from the street, often next to a hose bib or the pressure regulator. There is also a valve in the meter box at the curb, which may need a meter key. Find yours before you need it.
Why Pipes Fail in LA
Most of the LA basin rarely freezes, so pipes here usually fail from age, corrosion and pressure. Galvanized steel pipes in older homes corrode from the inside. Rubber supply hoses to toilets, sinks and washers crack with age. A failing pressure regulator can let high street pressure strain every line in the house.
In the high desert and in Santa Clarita, winter freezes do happen, and exposed pipes and hose bibs can split on cold nights.
Preventing the Next One
- Replace rubber washer hoses with braided ones and check them every few years.
- Replace supply lines under sinks and toilets that show rust, bulges or drips.
- Have a plumber check your water pressure and the pressure regulator.
- Put leak sensors under the water heater, washer and sinks.
- Test the main shutoff once a year so it works when you need it.
Common Questions
Should I call a plumber or a restoration company first?
Stop the water first. Then call both; the plumber fixes the pipe while drying starts on the water.
Will insurance cover a burst pipe?
Sudden and accidental pipe bursts are usually covered. Damage from a slow leak over time usually is not.
Can I keep using water in the rest of the house?
Only if you can isolate the broken pipe with a local valve. Otherwise keep the main off until it is repaired.
Tell Us What Happened.
- Call or Text
- (747) 500-1000
- Service Area
- Los Angeles, CA
- Working Hours
- 24/7