Water pouring from a wall or ceiling right now
Every minute counts, and the steps below are the same whether the pipe is in the attic, the wall or the crawlspace. Do them in order, and call as soon as the water is stopped or if you cannot stop it.
- 1Close the main shutoffTurn the valve clockwise where the water line enters the house, usually near the meter or the water heater.
- 2Open the lowest faucetDrain what is left in the pipes so less water escapes at the break.
- 3Kill power in the wet zoneSwitch off the breaker for that room. Do not touch switches with wet hands or while standing in water.
- 4Turn off the water heaterIf the pipe feeds it, shut off the heater so it does not run dry and overheat.
- 5Call and documentPhotograph the damage, then call the 24/7 line. We offer same-day scheduling when available.
If water has reached an outlet, the ceiling is bowed or you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility from outside.
Cold snaps and old mains around Voorhees
Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawlspaces and garages are the usual freeze breaks in Voorhees. Ask your township or utility for frost guidance, and treat any pipe that has frozen once as a pipe that may split at the next thaw.
A water main break and a house pipe break look the same at first. New Jersey American Water announced in 2022 that it would replace over two miles of old main on ten Voorhees streets, including 6-inch cast iron, some from the 1950s. If water pressure drops across your street at once, call the utility as well.
Source type: New Jersey American Water press releaseHow bad is the break
A pinhole or a weeping joint
Close the valve to that fixture, place a bucket and book a repair soon.
A steady spray or a bulging wall
Shut the main, drain the line and call the same day.
Water running through a ceiling or floor
Shut the main, cut power in the area and call the 24/7 line at once.
Why pipes burst, by material
| Pipe | How it fails | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Freeze splits along the seam, or pinholes from corrosion | Cut out the section and sweat in new copper |
| Galvanized steel | Rust closes the pipe from inside, then it cracks at fittings | Replace the section, often more of the run |
| CPVC and PEX | Cracks at fittings, or splits from freezing | Replace with push fittings or new pipe |
| Cast iron drain | Cracks and leaks, rarely bursts from pressure | See sewer line repair |
| Supply valve or stop | Worn stem breaks when turned | Replace the valve |
Patch, section replacement or repipe
A burst pipe is also a message about the pipe around it.
Patch the break
Fast and low disruption.
- Fine for one freeze split in good pipe
- Leaves old pipe in place
- Does not help if corrosion is widespread
Replace the section
Cut out a run and install new pipe.
- Removes the weak stretch
- Needs wall access
- Piping may be replaced to repair a leak as ordinary maintenance in New Jersey
Repipe the house
Replace most or all supply lines.
- Fits galvanized or repeated failures
- Largest job and disruption
- Like-for-like replacement is minor work with notice to the enforcing agency
If you are shopping for estimates, ask each company which of these three they are recommending and why. A good answer refers to what the pipe looks like, not just the quote.
What the repair visit includes
- 01
Confirm the water is off
We check the main and bleed the line before any cutting.
- 02
Open only what we need
We use a moisture meter to limit the hole in the drywall.
- 03
Replace the damaged section
We join new pipe with proper fittings and fresh supports.
- 04
Test under pressure
We restore water slowly and check every joint and the fixtures.
- 05
Advise on drying
We tell you what to dry and when to bring in a restoration company.
What affects the cost of burst pipe repair
Location of the break
A basement pipe in the open is simple. A pipe inside a finished wall or ceiling takes more work.
Pipe material
Copper, PEX and galvanized each call for different parts and methods.
Amount of pipe replaced
A short splice is quick, and a long section adds up.
Time of the call
After-hours emergency dispatch is priced differently from a booked visit.
Drywall and finish
Patching and painting after the repair are separate trades.
Insurance note. Homeowner insurance may cover sudden burst pipe damage but typically not the pipe itself or damage from a long-term leak, so check your policy and document everything. Ask for a clear price before work starts, and ask whether the quote covers testing and drywall opening.
Preventing the next one
Insulate exposed pipe in garages and crawlspaces, disconnect outdoor hoses before cold weather and keep the heat on when you travel. If you find the break was caused by corrosion, a camera or a leak detection visit can show whether other sections are close to failing.
We serve Voorhees, Somerdale and surrounding towns, and a burst in one house often means a neighbor's pipes are the same age.
Sources and references
The points above draw on these public standards, codes and guidelines. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with the agency or utility named before you rely on them.
- New Jersey American Water: published water quality report (Delaware system) and Camden County service territory information
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: Construction Code Communicator, Winter 2018
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs: State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers FAQ (N.J.S.A. 45:14C-1)
Common questions
Yes. The 24/7 line takes calls overnight and on weekends, and we dispatch the same day when we can. Shut off the main first and tell the dispatcher what the water is doing.
Look where the water line enters the house, often in the basement near the meter or the water heater. It may be a wheel handle or a lever. Learn its location before you need it.
It can. Ice splits the pipe, and the leak shows when the ice melts. If a pipe has frozen once, keep the water off to that line until it has been checked.
Often, yes. A single split in sound pipe can be cut out and replaced. A pipe with rust or pitting along its length is a stronger case for replacement.
Replacing piping to repair a leak is ordinary maintenance under New Jersey rules, but the work must be done by licensed persons. For larger replacement, ask the Voorhees Construction Department.
If the water is inside the house or along your side of the meter, it is your pipe. If pressure drops on the street, call New Jersey American Water as well. We can help you tell the difference.