Signs you have a burst or hidden pipe leak
- Water running somewhere when every tap is off
- Stains, bubbling paint or a sagging patch on a ceiling or wall
- Water pressure that suddenly drops
- The water meter dial still moving with all fixtures closed
- A damp, musty smell, or flooring that feels wet or warm
How we handle it
- Make it safe
We shut the water off at the main and keep you clear of wet outlets and appliances.
- Find the break
We trace the leak by pressure, sound and visible damage, opening as little as possible.
- Repair the line
We repair or replace the damaged section in copper, PEX or CPVC to code.
- Test and tidy
We turn the water back on, watch the meter, check for drips and clean the work area.
Why pipes burst in San Antonio
Two things break pipes here. Hard cold snaps — like February 2021 — freeze water in uninsulated pipes in attics, garages and exterior walls, and the ice splits the pipe. The rest of the year it is age and water chemistry: older copper and galvanized lines in established Northeast San Antonio homes thin out, and high street pressure plus hard water puts steady stress on joints and fittings.
Pipe breaks we see most
A split pipe in an attic or exterior wall after a freeze, a failed fitting under a sink, a burst washing machine hose, a pinhole in old copper, or a break in the yard line between the meter and the house. If you cannot see where the water is going, leak detection finds it before anything is opened up.
What it costs
It depends on what the problem turns out to be, so we diagnose first. Your plumber then gives you an upfront price for the work, and you approve it before anything starts.
Questions people ask
What should I do before the plumber arrives?
Shut off the main water valve — usually where the line enters the house or at the meter box near the street. Switch a gas water heater to "pilot" or turn off its breaker if the leak is near the tank, keep away from wet outlets, and move valuables off the floor.
Will you have to cut open my wall?
Only as much as the repair needs. We locate the break first so the opening is as small as possible, and we tell you what has to be opened before we start.
Do you handle frozen pipes?
Yes. We thaw and repair frozen lines after a freeze and can insulate the exposed runs that caused the problem.