Burst and leak repairs we do
- Phone help closing the house valve or a fixture shutoff
- Burst, split and pinhole sections cut out and replaced in copper, PEX or galvanized
- Leaks on exposed lines in garages, under sinks and under raised floors
- Leaks behind walls opened, repaired, and the wall patched and primed
- Burst washing machine hoses and split hose bibs replaced
- Corroded fittings at old-to-new pipe joints replaced
Pipes in a city of older houses
San Gabriel’s Housing Element preliminary report found 52.3 percent of housing units are more than 60 years old. Houses of that age often had galvanized steel supply pipe from the start, and many now have a mix of galvanized, copper and PEX after partial repairs. The joints between them, and old galvanized runs that have rusted from the inside, are where pinholes and bursts show up.
The EPA’s WaterSense program says household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons a year nationwide, and the average home’s leaks more than 9,300 gallons a year. Raised-floor houses can hide a leak under the floor for weeks, so a water bill that jumps is worth a look.
What a burst pipe repair looks like
Water off
If the leak is active when you call, we help you close the house valve or the nearest fixture valve and open a low faucet to drain pressure.
Expose and assess
We open only as much wall or access as needed, dry the area and inspect the pipe on both sides of the break to decide how far to cut back.
Repair and test
The damaged length is cut out and new pipe joined in with fittings suited to the existing material. Water goes back on slowly while we check each joint.
Close it up
Once the cavity is dry, we patch the drywall or plaster, match texture and prime.
When it goes to a plumber
Whole-house repiping, slab leaks and rerouting lines around a slab, main line breaks on the street side, and sewer or drain breaks go to a plumber. If water is near electrical outlets or the panel, keep clear and shut off power to that area if you safely can.
Photos that help
Whether the water is off, a photo of the leak or the wet spot, and where it is.
Burst pipe questions
Where is my shutoff valve?
Usually where the line enters the house, often near a front hose bib, or in the garage. If it will not turn, your water supplier can close the valve at the meter.
Can a pinhole leak be fixed without repiping?
Yes. We cut out the damaged section and replace it. If pinholes keep appearing along the same run, we tell you, since that pipe is wearing through.
Do you patch the wall after?
Yes. After the repair and drying, we patch, texture and prime the opening.
What about slab leaks?
Slab leaks need leak detection and rerouting by a plumber. We do not handle them.
Can you replace my washer hoses?
Yes. Braided stainless hoses replace rubber ones, and we check the laundry valves while we are there.
Related guides for San Gabriel homes
- Washer hoses and laundry valves in older homesWhen to replace washer hoses, how to check old laundry shutoff valves in a San Gabriel garage or service porch, and the small habits that prevent a flood.
- The toilet shutoff valve that will not turnWhy the little valve behind an older toilet often will not close, and how we replace seized shutoffs and supply lines before they fail.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our plumbing fixes group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.