Burst Pipe Repair in Burbank & Los Angeles
Water where it shouldn't be? Shut the main, then call.
A burst supply line can put a lot of water into a wall, ceiling or slab in a short time. Rooter Pros is a mobile, Burbank-based plumber on call 24/7 across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. We talk you through shutting the water off, find the failed pipe, and repair it properly.
Burst pipe snapshot
What happens when you call:
- 24/7 live dispatch — nights, weekends & holidays
- Water off first — we walk you through the shutoff on the phone
- Copper, PEX & galvanized — failed section cut out and replaced
- Price before repair — you see it before we start
Pipe burst? Do this now.
The first ten minutes decide how much water damage you end up with. You can do all of this before we arrive.
Shut off the water
Close the valve under the sink or behind the toilet if that's where it's leaking. Otherwise close the main shutoff where the line enters the house, usually at the front hose bib or in the garage. Can't find it? Use the valve at the meter box by the curb. Our main shutoff guide shows where to look.
Stay clear of electricity
If water is near outlets, a power strip or the electrical panel, keep away. Shut off the breaker only if you can reach the panel standing on dry ground. If a ceiling is sagging with water, stay out from under it.
Drain the lines
Open a faucet at the lowest point in the house and one upstairs to empty the pipes. Turn a gas water heater to pilot or vacation, or switch off an electric heater at the breaker, while the main is off.
Photograph everything
Take photos and video of the leak, the wet areas and damaged belongings before you clean up. Your insurer will want them, and they help us see what happened.
Call (818) 669-9019
Tell us where the water is coming from and what kind of pipe you can see. We'll tell you if anything else needs shutting off and get a plumber on the way, 24/7.
Start drying out
Mop up standing water, move rugs and furniture, and open cabinets and windows. Large amounts of water in walls, ceilings or under floors usually need a water damage restoration company as well as a plumber.
What we repair
Most "burst pipes" we see in LA aren't frozen pipes. They're old pipe, failed connectors and pressure problems.
Copper supply lines
Pinhole leaks and split joints in copper, from slab to attic. We cut out the damaged section and replace it, then check the run on either side.
Galvanized steel pipe
Common in pre-1960 Valley homes. Galvanized rusts from the inside until it fails. We repair the break and tell you honestly whether more of it is close behind. Repiping →
Supply hoses & connectors
Braided lines under sinks and toilets, washing machine hoses and water heater connectors are among the most common causes of sudden flooding. We replace failed ones and check the others.
Water heater leaks
A leaking tank, a failed connector or a relief valve that keeps discharging. We stop the water and tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement. Water heaters →
Main water line
A break in the line between the meter and the house shows up as a wet yard, low pressure or a high bill. We locate it and repair the section or replace the line. Water line replacement →
Hidden & slab leaks
Water you can hear but can't see, a warm spot on the floor or a meter that moves with everything off. We use leak detection to find it before opening anything. Slab leaks →
Why pipes fail in LA homes
Knowing the cause matters, because the repair that lasts depends on it.
Old pipe gives out
Many Burbank, Glendale and Valley houses still have original galvanized steel or decades-old copper. Galvanized narrows and rusts through; old copper can develop pinhole leaks. One leak is often a sign of more. If you're seeing repeat leaks, read our hidden leak guide and ask about repiping.
Too much pressure
The California Plumbing Code calls for a pressure regulator when street pressure is over 80 psi, and pressure varies a lot across LA's hills and flats, so some homes get more than their pipes should take. A failed regulator strains every pipe, hose and valve in the house. Banging pipes are one warning sign; see water hammer. We check pressure after every burst pipe repair.
Earthquakes & settling
Earthquakes and settling can crack rigid pipe and pull fittings apart, especially where pipe passes through a slab or foundation. After a strong quake, check for new leaks and a moving water meter. Our earthquake plumbing checklist walks through it.
Leaks before they burst
A burst is often the end of a leak that was already there. These are the early signs worth a call during the day, before they turn into a night-time emergency.
Water bill jumps
A bill from LADWP, Burbank Water and Power or Glendale Water & Power that's suddenly higher with no change in use. See high water bill causes.
Meter moves with taps off
Turn off every fixture and watch the meter's leak indicator. If it still turns, water is going somewhere. Our hidden leak guide shows how to check.
Stains, warm spots, low pressure
Stains on ceilings or drywall, a warm patch on a slab floor, the sound of running water, or pressure that drops suddenly. See slab leak warning signs.
Who handles what: the water utility owns the meter and the line on the street side. The pipe from the meter to your house, and everything inside, is the owner's. If water is gushing at the meter box or in the street, call your water utility. Leaks on your side are our job.
Also see: 24/7 emergency plumber · Leak detection · Water line replacement
Areas we serve
Mobile, Burbank-based and on call 24/7 for burst pipes across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Call to confirm your address.
How the visit works
Water off, leak found, price agreed, pipe fixed and tested.
You call — a person answers
24/7. We help you get the water off if it isn't already and ask a few questions about the pipe and where it is.
We find the failure
We trace the leak to the failed pipe or fitting, opening as little wall, ceiling or ground as we can. Hidden leaks get leak detection first.
Price before repair
We explain what failed and why, and give you the price for the repair before we start.
Repair, test, check pressure
We replace the damaged section, turn the water back on, check for leaks and test your water pressure so the next weak spot isn't next week's emergency.
Burst pipe FAQ
What people ask us with a towel in one hand and the phone in the other.
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Shut off the water. Use the fixture valve if the leak is under a sink or toilet; otherwise close the main shutoff where the water line enters the house, or the valve at the meter. If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, keep away and shut the power off only if you can reach the breaker safely. Then call (818) 669-9019.
Should I turn off my water heater too?
If the main water is off for more than a short time, turn a gas water heater to pilot or vacation and switch off an electric one at the breaker. That protects the heater while it is not refilling. If the leak is from the water heater itself, close the cold water valve on top.
Do pipes freeze and burst in Los Angeles?
Rarely in the basin, but it happens. Most LA bursts come from old corroded pipe, failed supply hoses and connectors, high water pressure or ground movement. The Santa Clarita Valley and foothill neighborhoods do get occasional hard frosts, so exposed pipes and outdoor hose bibs there are worth insulating.
Can a burst pipe just be patched?
A clamp or coupling can be a safe temporary stop, but the lasting fix is to cut out the damaged section and replace it with new pipe. If the pipe around the break is badly corroded or has other pinhole leaks, we will show you and talk through whether a larger section or a repipe makes more sense.
Will insurance cover a burst pipe?
That depends on your policy. Many homeowner policies treat sudden bursts differently from slow, long-term leaks. Take photos and video before cleanup, keep damaged items if you can, and call your insurer early. We can explain what failed and how we repaired it.
How much does burst pipe repair cost?
It depends on where the pipe is, what it is made of and how much wall, ceiling or ground has to be opened to reach it. We find the leak, tell you the price before we start the repair, and you decide.
Pipe burst? Call now.
24/7 live dispatch · Mobile, Burbank-based · Licensed C-36 plumber, CSLB #917630