Burst pipe: the first ten minutes
Know where your main shutoff is before you need it. A valve that has not been turned in years can stick, and a household that has practiced knows to turn it in seconds, not minutes. If the main will not close, say so on the call and we will tell you the next step.
Shut off the main
Find the main shutoff, usually where the line enters the house, and turn it fully closed.
Kill power to wet areas
Use the breaker panel, never a switch while standing in water.
Open low faucets
Draining the lines reduces pressure behind the break and limits more spray.
Call and document
Call the 24/7 line, then take photos and video of the damage for your insurer.
Why pipes burst, and what we repair
Pipes burst for a few predictable reasons. Water that freezes expands and splits the pipe, old fittings and supply valves fail from corrosion, and high water pressure wears at weak spots over time.
We repair copper, PEX and other supply piping, replace burst or broken supply valves and fittings, and check pressure so the new section does not fail for the same reason. If a pipe has failed in more than one spot, we say so, because that is when repiping starts to make sense.
| What failed | Typical cause | Repair approach |
|---|---|---|
| Split copper or PEX supply pipe | Freezing or a manufacturing flaw | Cut out the damaged section and fit new pipe |
| Pinhole leak in copper | Corrosion from inside the pipe | Repair the spot and test the neighboring pipe |
| Burst or broken supply valve | Age and corrosion | Replace the valve and check the supply line |
| Failed fitting or joint | Poor original work or movement | Remake the joint with proper fittings |
| Outdoor spigot line | Water left in a hose bib over winter | Replace the spigot, consider a frost-free model |
Water spraying right now?
Shut off the main and call. The 24/7 line is open, and you will hear a clear price before repairs start.
Freezing weather in the Wilsonville area
The January 2024 winter and ice storm in the Portland metro area led to a heavy run of burst pipe calls across the region, according to OPB reporting. Wilsonville sits about 17 miles from downtown Portland, so a hard freeze that reaches the metro reaches the city too.
Before a cold snap, disconnect hoses and shut off the supply to outdoor spigots, insulate exposed pipes in garages and crawlspaces and let faucets drip on the coldest nights. For attached Villebois homes, a burst in one unit can damage walls next door, which makes a fast shutoff and a call to the property manager important.
What to do after the water is off
- Photograph and video the damage before anything is moved or cleaned up.
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics away from wet areas and open windows if the weather allows.
- Call your insurance company. Policies often cover a sudden burst but are more limited for slow leaks and worn-out parts, so read yours.
- Keep damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them if you can do so safely.
- Ask us for the written scope of the repair, since your insurer may want to see what was done.
What affects the price of a burst pipe repair
You get a clear price before work starts. These details move it.
Related plumbing services
If water is damp but you cannot see the source, our leak detection service finds it before walls come down. When the failure is on the buried line from the meter, see water service line repair, and we also respond in Sherwood and along I-5.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A burst pipe is the top-priority call on the 24/7 line, and the dispatcher will talk you through shutting off the water while a crew is lined up.
It is usually where the water line enters the house, near the water heater, in a basement or crawlspace, or in a utility closet. Find it now, and turn it fully off in an emergency.
Do not force it with a tool that could break it. Tell the dispatcher, who can walk you through the next step, which may involve the shutoff at the meter and a crew visit.
Policies often cover sudden bursts and the resulting water damage but differ on slow leaks, freezing and wear. Read your policy and call your insurer, and we will give you a written description of the repair.
Disconnect hoses, shut off and drain outdoor spigots, insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip on very cold nights. Know where your main shutoff is before the freeze.
Yes, if you call before it splits. Keep the faucet open and call us. Do not use an open flame on a pipe.