Burst Pipe Repair in Arlington, VA

Signs the problem is a broken pipe

• Water dripping or pouring through a ceiling, often below a bathroom or kitchen
• A rushing or hissing sound inside a wall with every tap closed
• Pressure suddenly weak at every fixture in the house
• A wet stripe on the basement floor that keeps spreading
• An outdoor faucet spraying from the siding after the first hard freeze
• The meter still turning when no one is using water

A spray or gush calls for the main shutoff right away. A slow seep still matters: soaked insulation and drywall keep wicking water for hours.

What is different about Arlington

Arlington County's Water, Sewer, Streets Bureau runs the public water system, and it draws treated Potomac River water from the Washington Aqueduct. The County owns everything from the main to the meter, including the meter box. The line from the meter into the house and all the piping inside belong to the owner, so a break on that side is a job for a plumber you hire. Water spurting from the street, a main break or water showing up in odd places outdoors should go to the County's 24-hour emergency hotline, 703-228-6555.

The median Arlington home was built in 1976, and many neighborhoods from Cherrydale to the streets off Columbia Pike are older than that. Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces and garages in these homes are the usual freeze victims. The County reports it has never used lead for its part of the service line and asks owners to check their own side with a scratch and magnet test.

Cost factors

• Where the pipe broke. An exposed line in an unfinished basement is quicker than one behind tile or plaster.
• Material. Copper, PEX, CPVC and older galvanized steel take different fittings and tools.
• Condo or house. In a multi-unit building, shutting off a riser can involve building staff and other units.
• Freeze damage elsewhere. One frozen run often has a second crack nearby that shows up once pressure returns.
• Hour of the call. Nights, weekends and holidays generally cost more.

After you call

The number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who works in Arlington. Say where the water is coming from, whether the main is closed and what the pipe looks like. On site, the plumber confirms the break, opens only what is needed, splices in new pipe and refills the system slowly while watching nearby joints. Wall and ceiling patching usually comes later from another trade. Arrival time depends on the hour and the plumber's schedule.