Burst Pipe Repair: $400 to $2,000 + Shut Off First (2026)

Pipe burst? Do this now

1. Shut off the main water valve. The City of Fort Worth tells residents to find the shut-off valve now, check that it works, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
2. Keep away from water near outlets or the electrical panel. Shut off power at the breaker only if you can reach it from a dry spot; if you cannot, stay out of the water and call the electric utility. FEMA's flood cleanup guidance says to turn off main electrical power and water.
3. Take photos before you clean up. FEMA says to photograph damage room by room before cleanup starts.
4. Call a plumber to repair the pipe. HomeGuide says to treat a burst as an emergency because it can cause major water damage very quickly.
5. Call your insurer, and start drying within 24 to 48 hours. The EPA says that window keeps mold from growing in most cases.

How much does burst pipe repair cost

The pipe repair and the water damage are separate bills. Drying and rebuilding are priced on water damage restoration.

HomeGuide's October 2025 guide puts burst pipe repair at $400 to $2,000, with a national average of $1,200 and a range of $100 to $10,000. HomeAdvisor's June 2026 average is $500, with most jobs at $200 to $3,000. Both price pipe work at $150 to $250 per linear foot with labor. Material is a small part of that; HomeGuide's per-foot prices for pipe alone:

HomeGuide, Oct 2025. Materials only, no labor.

The bigger cost is usually the water. The Insurance Information Institute reports that water damage and freezing claims averaged $15,400 from 2019 to 2023, and made up 22.6% of homeowners insurance losses in 2023.

Is it an emergency? When a burst pipe needs a plumber today

A burst pipe is an emergency for as long as water is running, and HomeGuide's guide puts emergency plumber rates at $120 to $300 or more an hour. Once the main valve is off and the water has stopped, ask whether the repair can wait for regular hours.

• Call now: water you cannot shut off, or water reaching outlets, the panel or appliances. The Red Cross warns not to touch electrical equipment that is wet.
• Call now: a frozen pipe you cannot reach to thaw. The Red Cross says to call a licensed plumber when you cannot get to the frozen section.
• Same day: water has soaked floors, drywall or a ceiling. The EPA says to dry wet areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold; see water damage restoration.
• Can wait for business hours: the main is off, the water has stopped and nothing is wet near electricity.

How to thaw frozen pipes safely

Thaw a frozen pipe with gentle heat and the faucet open, the American Red Cross says. Its steps:

• Keep the faucet open so water can flow as the ice melts.
• Apply heat with an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a space heater kept away from anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water.
• Keep heating until full water pressure returns, then check the other faucets; one frozen pipe may mean others.
• Never use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or any open flame.
• Call a licensed plumber if you cannot find the frozen section or cannot reach it.

Know where the main shut-off is before you start. The City of Fort Worth warns that a frozen pipe may already be cracked and will burst when it thaws, and says calling a plumber is safest. HomeAdvisor says thawing often costs a flat $100.

Which pipes freeze first

Pipes exposed to severe cold freeze first: outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and sprinkler lines, the Red Cross says. Supply pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages and kitchen cabinets are next, along with pipes on exterior walls with little insulation. Water expands as it freezes, and that pressure is what splits the pipe.

How to prevent frozen pipes

• Keep the heat steady. The Red Cross says to keep the thermostat at the same setting day and night, and no lower than 55 F if you travel.
• Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes when it is very cold (Red Cross).
• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks so warm air reaches the pipes (Red Cross).
• Wrap exposed pipes and outdoor faucets. The Texas Department of Insurance says to start in the attic, where many Texas homeowners saw pipes freeze.
• Find your shut-off valves indoors and out, and test them before a freeze (TDI; Fort Worth).

Winterizing a house covers draining lines and what a full winterization costs.

Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe

Most homeowner and renter policies cover sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe, the Texas Department of Insurance says, but most do not cover damage from gradual leaks or seepage. Call your insurer and photograph everything before cleanup. Do not sign an assignment of benefits or any contract that hands your claim to a contractor; Florida bans assignments of post-loss benefits on policies issued on or after January 1, 2023. The plumber line is for the pipe repair; your insurer handles the claim.

Water damage after a burst pipe

Wet drywall, flooring and insulation need to dry within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold out, the EPA says. Water damage restoration covers drying, water damage restoration cost has the prices, and ceiling water damage repair covers a soaked ceiling. If mold has started, see mold remediation.

Burst pipe repair near me: what to ask before you book

• What is the call-out fee, and what is the emergency rate? HomeAdvisor lists call-out fees of $100 to $300.
• What is the price per foot, and which pipe material? Compare against $150 to $250 per foot.
• Will you pressure test the other lines? If a leak is hidden in a wall or slab, see leak detection or slab leak repair.
• License and insurance: ask for the license number and proof of insurance.

More plumbing jobs are on the plumbing hub and emergency plumber. Some companies take after-hours calls; hours vary.

Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job. Ask for its license number and proof of insurance before work starts. How calls work.