A burst pipe can put hundreds of gallons of water into a house in a short time. The first job is to stop the flow, and the second is to limit the damage. The repair itself comes third. This guide covers all three, and it explains what drives the cost of the repair. We do not publish dollar figures, because we have no verified local pricing and a guess would mislead you.
Burst pipes are most common in cold weather, when water freezes and expands inside the pipe. They also happen from corrosion, high pressure and age.
What to do in the first five minutes
- Shut off the main water valve. Know where it is before you need it.
- Turn off the electricity to wet areas if water is near outlets or the panel, and only if you can do so safely.
- Open the lowest faucet to drain the lines and relieve pressure.
- Move belongings out of the water's path and use towels, buckets or a wet vacuum.
- Take photos for insurance before you clean up.
- Call a plumber.
If water is falling through a ceiling light, stay out of the room and shut the power at the panel if you can reach it safely. If you cannot, call 911 or the utility.
Pipe burst and water running? Call (973) 488-5410 now and we will talk you through the shutoff.
Call (973) 488-5410Who to call about the water supply in your town
If the main shutoff does not stop the water, or the burst is on the street side of your meter, you need your water supplier. In Lodi, the Passaic Valley Water Commission lists customer service and its emergency line as 973-340-4300, and the line is answered around the clock.
Saddle Brook has its own Water Department at 201-587-2905. Veolia's call center for its New Jersey customers is 1-800-422-5987, and the state's WaterCheck listings place Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood and Wood-Ridge in the Veolia Hackensack system. Confirm your supplier on your water bill.
A burst on the house side of the meter is the owner's repair. See Hackensack and Wood-Ridge pages for local service details, and check the water service line page if the break is between the meter and the house.
What drives the cost of repair
What decides the cost of burst pipe repair
- Pipe material
- Copper, PEX, galvanized steel and plastic differ in parts and labor.
- Location
- A pipe in an open basement is quick. A pipe inside a finished wall needs the wall opened.
- Length
- A short split costs less than a long run that has to be replaced.
- Cause
- Freezing may damage several spots, and corrosion may mean the whole line is failing.
Lodi Pro Plumbing states the price before work starts, and explains if the break points to a larger problem.
The plumber may find the bad section, cut it out and replace it with new pipe and fittings. If the pipe is old and brittle, one repair may be followed by another. That is when repiping comes up as an option. The plumber should show you the pipe and explain why.
Typical causes
| Cause | What happens | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing | Ice expands inside the pipe and splits it | Burst after a cold night, often near exterior walls |
| Corrosion | The pipe wall thins until it fails | Rust stains, discolored water, pinhole leaks |
| High pressure | Excess pressure stresses joints | Banging pipes, a leaky relief valve |
| Age and movement | Joints loosen or crack | Leaks at fittings |
| Damage | A nail, drill or impact punctures the pipe | Leak after nearby work |
A frozen pipe that has not yet burst is still an emergency. Open the tap slightly and warm the pipe with a hair dryer, never a flame. Shut the main if you see a split.
After the repair
Dry out the area quickly. Run fans and a dehumidifier. Remove wet drywall and insulation, since they hold moisture and grow mold. Photograph everything and keep receipts for the insurance claim. A restoration company can measure moisture and tell you what to remove.
Ask the plumber to check the pressure and the rest of the system. A burst can reveal other weak points. If the same pipe froze, ask about insulation, heat tape or rerouting the line.
Preventing the next one
Insulate pipes in unheated spaces such as crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls. Let a faucet drip on very cold nights. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior spigots in fall.
If you leave home in winter, keep the heat on, and shut off the water if you will be gone a long time. Know where your main shutoff is, and test it so it turns.
Questions to ask the plumber
A burst pipe puts you in a hurry, but a few questions still help you judge the repair:
- Where exactly did the pipe fail, and can you show me the split?
- Is this one bad section, or is the whole line in poor shape?
- What material will replace it, and will it match the rest?
- Will the wall, ceiling or floor need to be opened, and who repairs it afterward?
- Is a pressure test part of the job before the wall closes?
The answers tell you whether you are paying for a spot repair or the start of a larger project. A plumber who explains the failure and shows you the damaged pipe is easier to trust than one who only states a total.
Documenting the damage for insurance
Take photos and short video of the burst section, the water path and every wet surface before cleanup.
Keep the damaged pipe if the plumber removes it, since an adjuster may ask to see it. Save the invoice, which should name the cause and the repair. Write down when you found the leak and when you shut the water off. Call your insurance agent early, because many policies expect prompt notice, and ask what the policy says about water damage and about the pipe itself.
Burst pipe questions
Is a burst pipe an emergency?
Yes. Water damage grows fast. Shut the main valve and call.
Does insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage, but not always the pipe. Read your policy and call your agent.
Can I repair a burst pipe myself?
A push-fit fitting can stop a small leak for a short time, but a permanent fix needs proper pipe and fittings. A plumber also checks for other damage.
Who handles a burst pipe on the street side of the meter?
The water supplier does. Call the number on your bill, such as PVWC at 973-340-4300 in Lodi.
How do I know if a frozen pipe has burst?
When it thaws, water leaks or sprays from the split. Keep the main valve ready to close as the pipe warms.
Code basis. Plumbing work in New Jersey follows the state plumbing subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.15, which adopts the 2021 National Standard Plumbing Code. Ask which permits apply to your job and confirm with the Lodi Building Department.