Stop the water first
- Shut off the main valve. It is usually near a front hose bib, in a garage wall or at the meter box. Turn it fully closed.
- Open a low faucet. Opening the lowest tap lets the remaining water drain from the pipes and relieves pressure.
- Cut power if water is near outlets. Switch off the affected circuits at the panel if you can reach it dry. If the panel is wet, stay away and call.
- Call us. Tell the dispatcher what you shut off and where the water is coming from.
Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the wet area. Photograph everything before you clean up because your insurer will ask for it.
Why pipes burst in a mild climate
Hard freezes are uncommon in Mountain View, so most bursts here trace to something else. Aging pipe that has corroded from the inside, high pressure, a failed fitting or a connector that has worn out are the usual causes. Sometimes a house settles or a nearby dig shifts a line.
Knowing the cause matters for the repair. A single failed fitting is a quick fix. Pinhole leaks that keep appearing in several places mean the pipe is at the end of its life, and the better answer is repiping rather than another patch.
What the plumber does on site
The plumber confirms the water is off, finds the break and opens the smallest section of wall or ceiling needed to reach it. The failed section is cut out and replaced with new pipe and fittings. The line is pressure tested, the water is turned back on and the area is checked for any other leaks.
If the pipe is in bad shape beyond the break, you hear the options and the price. If water has soaked drywall or insulation, the plumber tells you what a drying company should look at, though we do not do drying or mold work ourselves.
Pipe burst? Shut the main and call the 24/7 line.
Call (650) 860-1670| Situation | Usual answer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One failed fitting or hose | Repair | The pipe around it is sound |
| Single split in good pipe | Repair | Replace that section |
| Several pinholes in a short time | Consider repiping | Corrosion is widespread |
| Breaks under a slab | See slab leak options | Slab leak repair covers reroutes |
| Break between meter and house | Water line repair | Water line repair covers the buried line |
What drives the cost of a burst pipe repair
- Pipe type and size. Copper, PEX and galvanized each use different parts and methods.
- Where it is. A break in an open garage wall is quicker than one behind tile.
- How much needs replacing. A short section versus a long run changes the materials and time.
- Wall and ceiling access. Opening and closing access is part of the job.
- Time of call. After-hours emergency dispatch costs more than a booked repair.
Sudden burst-pipe water damage is often covered by a homeowner's policy, though the pipe itself may not be. Report it early and keep photos. The plumber gives you the price before the repair starts.
Apartments and shared risers downtown
Around Castro Street and the El Camino Real corridor, many Mountain View residents live in multifamily buildings where one burst riser can flood several units. If that is your case, the first call after shutting your unit's valve is the building manager, because the shutoff for the whole stack may be elsewhere. We repair lines inside a unit and coordinate with management on the rest.
In single-family neighborhoods the main valve is usually at the front of the house. Find it before you need it and test that it turns.
Replacement pipe and fittings in a repair should be approved for potable water under the California Plumbing Code, which is one reason an emergency patch is followed by a proper repair.
Burst Pipe Repair questions
Is emergency burst pipe repair available at night in Mountain View?
Yes. Call (650) 860-1670 at any hour. Shut the main valve first and a licensed plumber is dispatched.
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually near a front hose bib, in a garage wall or at the meter box near the street. If it will not turn, tell the dispatcher.
Will insurance pay for a burst pipe?
Often for the water damage, less often for the pipe. Policies differ, so check yours and photograph everything.
Can a burst pipe be repaired without opening the wall?
Sometimes not. The plumber opens the smallest section needed and tells you before cutting.
How do I stop it happening again?
If the pipe is old and has leaked before, repiping is the lasting answer. For a one-off fitting failure, a repair is enough.