When a burst pipe is an emergency: the first five minutes
Shut off the main
Turn the main valve clockwise until it stops. In many homes it is near the meter, the street side of the house or the garage.
Open a low faucet
Draining the lines lowers pressure and slows the leak.
Kill power if wet
If water is near outlets or a panel, turn off the breaker only if you can do so without standing in water.
Call and document
Call us, then take photographs and video for your insurer.
If you cannot find or turn the main valve, say so when you call. We can talk you through alternatives, such as the curb stop at the meter box, which usually needs a special key.
Why pipes burst in this part of Contra Costa
Winter freezes are less common here than in colder states, so a burst is more often caused by corrosion, high water pressure, a failed joint or a pipe damaged during other work. Old galvanized steel can rupture at a thinned wall. Copper can fail at a pinhole that becomes a split.
We check the cause before we repair, because replacing a section without fixing a pressure problem just moves the failure down the line. Our repiping page explains when widespread corrosion calls for a larger replacement.
| Situation | What it usually means | Likely fix |
|---|---|---|
| Spray from a pipe in a wall | Split or failed fitting | Cut open, replace the section |
| Wet ceiling below a bathroom | Supply line or fitting failure above | Locate, repair and dry |
| Water in the yard, low pressure | Service line break | See water service line repair |
| Pinhole sprays | Corrosion from the inside | Repair now, evaluate repiping |
Water flowing now?
Shut off the main and call. We will book the fastest visit available.
After the pipe is fixed
- We test the line under pressure and check nearby fittings.
- We tell you what to dry, and when drywall or insulation should come out.
- We note the damage in a way your insurer can follow.
- We advise whether a pressure regulator or repiping is worth considering.
Wet drywall and insulation can grow mold within a couple of days, so drying matters. We handle the plumbing, and a water damage restoration company handles drying and cleanup.
What affects burst pipe repair cost
We give a clear price before work starts. Factors:
Insurance often covers water damage from a sudden burst, though not always the pipe itself. Call your insurer early, and keep damaged items until they are documented.
Want your real number? Describe the job on the call and we quote it before work starts.
Service area
We respond to burst pipes in 94523 and the surrounding ZIP codes, including 94553 in Martinez. The Martinez page lists the neighborhoods there.
Replacement pipe and fittings must be approved for potable water under the California Plumbing Code, which is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). We use approved materials and pressure test the repair before closing any wall.
Common questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7. Shut off the main valve and call, and we will book the earliest visit.
It is commonly near the water meter, on the street side of the house, in the garage or at a basement wall. Find it before an emergency.
Tell us on the phone. The meter box may have a curb stop that needs a special key, and we can guide you.
Many policies cover resulting water damage. Call your insurer promptly and document everything.
Not always. One failure in a sound system can be repaired. Several failures in old pipe suggest it is time to compare repiping.
Within a day or two. Wet drywall and insulation can grow mold quickly, so call a restoration company promptly.
Still have a question about your situation? Call (855) 575-2890 any hour and describe what you are seeing.