Burst or leaking pipe?

Shut off the main water valve first, then open faucets to drain the lines. A burst pipe needs a plumber, and a small pinhole leak can be held with a clamp or repair tape until one arrives.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your pipes and we’ll narrow it down.

Is a faucet frozen but nothing has leaked yet?

Thaw it slowly before it splits. Frozen pipes

Likely causes

  1. Pipe split after freezing

    Most commonCall a pro

    Water shows up as a frozen pipe thaws. Many burst pipes only reveal themselves then, with a stain, a drip or a sudden drop in pressure.

  2. Pinhole leak

    CommonModerate DIY

    A small spray or drip from one spot, often on an older or corroded pipe, or a hissing sound. A temporary clamp or repair tape can hold it until a plumber comes.

  3. Leaking joint or fitting

    CommonCall a pro

    Water collects at a connection, or a stain appears on the wall or ceiling near a joint.

  4. Hidden leak in a wall, floor or ceiling

    Less commonCall a pro

    Water stains, bulging drywall, a sudden pressure drop, hissing in the wall or a spike in the water bill with no visible drip.

Quick checks

If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, switch power off at the breaker only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry. Otherwise stay out and call a professional. Know where your main water shutoff is before winter. Never thaw a pipe with a torch or any open flame. Dry standing water quickly to limit mold.

  1. Shut off the main water valve first. Then open faucets to drain what's left in the lines.
  2. Look for the source: water stains, bulging drywall, a hissing sound, or a pipe with a visible split.
  3. For a small pinhole leak you can reach, apply a temporary clamp or repair tape. It's a stopgap until a plumber comes.
  4. Mop up and run fans to dry standing water quickly, because damp materials invite mold.
  5. Take photos of the damage for your records, then call a plumber.
Sharpen the read

Diagnose your pipes in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

  • the pipe where it's frozen or leaking, close up
  • where the pipe runs (wall, crawlspace, under the sink)
  • your main water shutoff valve

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

Any burst pipe, a leak you can't reach or stop, bulging drywall or a ceiling that sags, or water near electrical equipment. A plumber is $45–200 an hour, and an emergency call-out is $100–300. If the pipe is still frozen, see frozen pipes. For the bigger picture, see the exposed pipes guide.

Typical cost: HomeAdvisor puts burst pipe repair at $200–3,000, about $500 on average, with labor nearly 80% of the bill. Badly corroded or multiply damaged runs can reach $150–250 per foot. A plumber is $45–200 an hour, and an emergency call-out is $100–300. Water damage, drywall and mold are extra and not priced here.

Sources: HomeAdvisor: How much does a burst pipe repair cost? (updated June 20, 2026)

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.

Related problems

  • Frozen pipes?

    Pipes

    A faucet with little or no water in freezing weather, usually a pipe you can thaw with gentle heat.

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

Fixology helps you understand your home — it isn't a substitute for a licensed pro on serious gas, electrical, or structural work.