What to do if a pipe bursts under your house?

Author: Prof. Callie Vandervort DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Here are five tips from Consumer Reports:
  1. Shut off the water. Turn off the water main (or main water valve) to your home, to minimize water damage.
  2. Open your faucets up. ...
  3. Call a plumber. ...
  4. Begin getting rid of the water. ...
  5. Contact your insurance provider.

What happens if a pipe bursts under your house?

Water damage to your house's structure and interior surfaces: Water from the leak can seep into walls, ceilings, floors, the foundation, and cause a basement flood, which can weaken the structure's integrity. A deluge of water from a burst pipe can collapse a ceiling or walls.

Does homeowners insurance cover broken pipes under house?

Homeowners insurance generally covers damage due to broken pipes if their collapse is sudden and unforeseen. Water damage that occurs gradually due to a leaky or rusty pipe, however, is generally not covered.

How to fix a busted pipe under a house?

One popular technique used by professional plumbers for repairing a broken underground pipe is trenchless pipe repair. This technique involves locating the access point of the pipe and inserting a resin or acrylic patching material and maneuvering it into the place where the crack or damage is located.

How much does it cost to fix a broken pipe under the house?

In situations where the broken pipe is under your home's foundation or within a concrete slab, repair costs can jump to $500-$4,000. For homes needing new copper piping or a complete plumbing system overhaul, the investment can range from $2,000 to $15,000.

What to do if your pipes burst: 2 Wants to Know

What happens if a pipe leaks under a house?

If you have a leak in your underground plumbing, it will result in increased water usage and an abnormally high water bill.

How do I fix my sewer pipe under my house?

With the foundation cut or broken open, or the driveway trenched under you can see the sewer line and find the break. You then cut out and remove the damaged section of the sewer line and replace it. With replacing or working with the sewer line, it is important to remember to keep the original drain slope.

Is a slab leak covered by insurance?

If a peril that's covered by your homeowners insurance policy results in a plumbing leak under your slab creating a slab leak, your homeowners insurance policy might help pay to tear out and replace the slab and repair the water damage to your home.

How to fix a water leak under foundation?

Slab Leak Repair Options
  1. Pipe Rerouting/Re-piping: Installing new pipes to bypass damaged sections.
  2. Tunneling Beneath the Slab: Digging under the home to access and repair leaks.
  3. Breaking Through the Slab: Directly accessing the leak by removing a portion of the slab.

Who is responsible for burst water pipes?

If a water main breaks, your city or town is responsible for fixing the break, but you often will be responsible for repair or replacement of the water main supply line connected to your house. If your home is damaged from a public water main break, contact your municipality as well as your insurance company.

Will insurance pay to repipe a house?

It just depends. Insurance policies may cover repiping if there is significant damage due to a fire or natural disaster. If there is extremely cold winter weather and your pipes freeze and then burst, your insurance policy may cover related expenses, but not always.

Should I use a public adjuster?

If you find yourself disagreeing with the insurance company's settlement offer, or if the damage is extensive, it might be worth considering a public adjuster. They can help you get a more accurate estimate and negotiate a better settlement.

Does insurance cover broken pipe under house?

Homeowners insurance typically covers losses resulting from a sudden malfunction, such as a pipe bursting unexpectedly. However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance.

Is a burst pipe an emergency?

A burst pipe is one of the most severe plumbing emergencies.

Why would an underground pipe burst?

Underground water pipes can be damaged by changes in soil conditions. This often happens when construction or landscaping is done. Seismic activity can also cause the earth around pipes to shift and put pressure on them, which increases the risk of a burst pipe.

How to fix a busted water pipe under the house?

  1. Shut Off the Water Supply. Turn off the main valve where water comes into your home. ...
  2. Locate the Damage in the Pipe. Assess the break in the pipe. ...
  3. Determine the Placement of a New Fitting. ...
  4. Drain the Pipes. ...
  5. Position the Valve. ...
  6. Cut the Copper Pipe to Length. ...
  7. Clean the Pipe and Valve. ...
  8. Add Flux and Connect the Pipe.

Do plumbers fix underground pipes?

Usually, underground water leaks in your yard are difficult to repair for the simple reason that it is difficult to get to them. Professional plumbers will either have to do precision excavation or replace the line entirely. To do either, the plumber must first locate the water leak using a water leak detector.

Is it expensive to fix a slab leak?

Slab leaks can be a costly affair. According to HomeAdvisor, the national average of a slab leak repair job is about $2,280. Meanwhile, the average cost of a simple pipe repair is about $630.

How urgent is a slab leak?

Ignoring a slab leak can cause problems that take a toll on your property and checkbook. Even if you do not notice a spike in your water bill right away, slab leaks eventually cause other problems. For example, these leaks can cause extensive mold growth that create health implications for those who live in the home.

Does homeowners insurance cover foundation leaks?

Dwelling coverage, or Coverage A on your homeowners insurance policy, will likely cover foundation damage caused by covered perils. If the foundation damage is due to negligence, your insurance won't cover the repair cost.

How do plumbers fix pipes under a house?

As we mentioned, the new pipe is pulled through the old pipe, bursting it in place with a new HDPE sewer pipe. Once the new pipe is inserted, the plumber ensures everything works correctly and does a camera inspection. We then backfill the access holes. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove the old pipe.

How much does it cost to replace a sewer line under a house?

When it comes to replacing a sewer line, there is no one-size-fits-all. On average, the cost of replacing a sewer line can range from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on several factors. The material type used in the replacement pipe is the most significant factor in determining the price.

How do you know if you have a broken sewer line under your house?

An obvious sign of a sewer issue is if you see sewage pooling in your yard. A lingering foul smell and puddles that don't dry up indicate you might have a cracked main sewer line. Pest Invasion. A damaged sewer line can also invite unwanted pests into your home.

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