When a pipe bursts in Triangle, shut off the main water valve and stay away from outlets or cords near the water. A plumber can trace the break, replace the damaged pipe or fitting and test the line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Triangle.
Triangle's water and housing
Triangle sits in southeastern Prince William County, wedged between Dumfries, Prince William Forest Park and Marine Corps Base Quantico. Prince William Water supplies it with Occoquan Reservoir water treated at Fairfax Water's Griffith plant. Prince William Water locates its lines from the main through the meter box, and lines and connections on private property are the owner's responsibility. Its emergency dispatch number is 703-335-7990, and customer service is 703-335-7950. Virginia American Water also runs a separate system in the county, so confirm the name on your bill if you are unsure.
The median home in Triangle was built in 1999. With housing that young, a burst usually comes from a frozen line along a garage or exterior wall, a hose left on an outdoor faucet, a failed fitting or a worn washer or toilet connector rather than from old pipe giving out. Prince William Water says the lines it owns are non-lead; home plumbing is the owner's to check.
Repair choices
| What failed | What usually happens | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A split line to an outdoor faucet | Replace the faucet and the cracked pipe behind it | The real damage is often inside the wall |
| Cracked fitting on plastic pipe | Swap the fitting and a short length | Plastic often survives where joints do not |
| Burst appliance or toilet hose | New braided connector and stop valve | Connectors wear out on their own schedule |
| Leak past the meter in the yard | Dig, then repair or replace the line | That section belongs to the owner |
Signs of a burst
- Water spreading across the garage or basement floor
- A wet ceiling below a bathroom or laundry room
- Pressure suddenly low throughout the house
- A patch of lawn that stays soaked in dry weather
Timing and seasons
The coldest nights of January and February bring most freeze breaks, often showing up as the weather warms and ice in the pipe melts. Disconnect hoses in the fall and drain irrigation lines. Larger repairs that extend water piping more than 10 feet or change pipe material may need a plumbing permit from Prince William County's Building Development Division, 703-792-6930. If you notice a gas smell, leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside; the company is named on your gas bill.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Triangle
Who pays to fix a leak between the water meter and the house?
Water is bubbling up near the street or the meter box. Who do I call?
Can a pipe burst when it is not freezing?
Is it safe to step into a flooded basement?
More plumbing services in Triangle
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
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