How Much Does a Burst Pipe Repair Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

The average burst pipe repair cost is around $500, with most homeowners spending between $200 to $3,000 depending on the damage. On the low end, you might pay $100 to replace a small section of pipe, while extensive repairs can exceed $5,000. Understanding what affects burst pipe repair costs can help you budget for this urgent project and prevent further damage to your home. When a burst pipe occurs, seeking professional repairs is essential to ensuring the damage is fixed safely and correctly.

Burst Pipe Cost Factors

Once you've discovered the source of the leak, you'll need to consider several factors to determine how much it'll cost to fix your burst pipe. Here’s a breakdown of the main cost drivers that will influence your total cost.

Labor

80% of the cost to repair a burst pipe goes toward labor. That means for an average repair costing $500, you might spend $400 on labor alone. Plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour. If you need immediate assistance and can't manage a temporary DIY fix, an emergency call-out fee could add another $100 to $300 to your bill.

Overage

When dealing with an issue like a burst pipe, it's crucial that you work a buffer of at least 15% into your budget. While it might look like a simple fix, once the plumber gets in there, they could find that the damage is much more extensive. For example, the rupture could be much larger than anticipated, with fissures running along a longer length of pipe that requires replacement. Plus, you'll need to account for the cleanup and the possibility of calling a water damage repair professional.

Material

In most modern homes, you'll only pay between $0.50 and $15 per linear foot for plumbing pipe. However, if your home was built before 1986, you may still have cast-iron piping, which costs up to $30 per linear foot—or worse, lead pipes, which are hazardous to your health.

In either case, due to the cost or health concerns, it may be worth considering having your plumbing pipework replaced with a more cost-effective, contemporary option like PVC. Cast iron is prone to corrosion as it reacts with the waste flowing through it and can rust from the inside out. Plus, it's extremely heavy, which causes sinkage and can result in pipe fracturing because it can no longer cope with the strain. Here is the cost breakdown of different pipe materials and their associated costs.

Cost to Repair Water Damage

Water damage repair costs add an additional $4 to $7 per square foot, depending on the extent of the damage. The sooner you shut off the water, get the pipe fixed, and repair the current level of water damage, the less you'll pay. The longer you leave it, the more damage it causes, as dampness, rot, and mold spread rapidly if unchecked.

If you suspect you have a burst pipe, shut off the water immediately and drain the pipes by turning on all the faucets, showers, and toilets. This minimizes the risk of excessive water damage.

Emergency Fees

If you need immediate help—which is often the case with a burst pipe—a plumber will likely charge you extra as an emergency fee. This can be a flat fee of around $100 to $300 or a higher hourly rate.

Timing determines how much you'll pay for an emergency call. For example, a weekday emergency during regular working hours typically costs time-and-a-half or time-and-a-quarter. However, late-night or holiday callouts are usually triple-time, depending on when you call them out.

Insurance

Check your home insurance policy if you have a burst pipe. Many insurers provide cover for burst pipes and the remediation of water damage. Double-check the details of your policy, as some insurers don't cover the pipe repair but will pay for the water damage and mold removal. Others may have restrictions around who you can hire to fix the issues.

Plumbing Inspection

To avoid costly repairs from burst pipes, book a plumbing inspection every two years. During an inspection, a local plumber checks for leaks, corrosion, the condition of the pipes, root incursion, and other indicators of problems on the horizon. While the inspection can cost as little as $200, it can save you thousands by highlighting small issues you can repair instead of having a massive repair bill when a pipe bursts.

Cost to Fix a Burst Pipe by Type

How much you'll pay to fix a burst pipe is strongly influenced by the type of pipe that needs fixing. Call a plumber who can quickly identify the type of pipe that has burst and find the location with a plumbing line inspection.

Main Line Burst Pipe

The cost to fix a main line break is about $150 to $2,000, with most people paying around $1,080. You can tell if you have a main line issue pretty easily. Common symptoms are the following:

• A significant drop in water pressure

• Pungent, unpleasant odor around water outlets

• Unusual noises, including banging, when you turn on the tap

Main lines carry fresh water from the local supply into your home and can rupture if they freeze, acidic soil corrodes metal pipe from the outside-in, or tree roots burst through the pipe.

Sewer Line Pipe Rupture

You'll pay between $1,300 and $4,700 to fix a ruptured sewer line, with most people paying around $3,000. Telltale signs of a burst sewer line include the following:

• Unusual soggy patch on the lawn

• Slow drains

• Clogged drains

• Rodent infestation

• Unpleasant sewer smell

The sewer line carries liquid and solid waste from your home to the communal sewer line. These pipes commonly burst due to excessive corrosion or an extreme clog. Tree roots, rocks, or a construction worker may also pierce the sewer line, leading to a rupture.

Repairing a burst sewer line as soon as possible is vital because leaks contain harmful pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella. A swift repair can protect your family and pets from contacting the saturated area of your yard.

Cost of Repairing a Burst Pipe by Location

The location where the pipe bursts greatly impacts the cost of the repair. A simple fix in the kitchen or bathroom could cost as little as $150. These are the average repair cost ranges based on the location of the burst pipe in your home.

Kitchen

Fixing a burst pipe in the kitchen costs an average of $330, and you could pay anywhere from $150 to $500. The most common pipe that bursts in the kitchen is under the sink, so the repair is reasonably simple because the pipe is exposed. Therefore, the plumber can access it easily and shouldn't need to rip out kitchen units or drywall to fix the issue.

Often, the problem is a leak at one of the joints that's easy to repair with few materials and takes only a short time.

Wall

The cost to repair a burst pipe in a wall is around $330, with an average range of $150 to $500. However, depending on the extent of the damage, you'll also need to account for the cost of wall repair, which is around $400 to $1,200.

Burst pipes in a wall often cause other issues, including mold. Mold remediation costs average between $10 and $25 per square foot.

Bathroom

A burst pipe in the bathroom costs an average of $480 to repair, with a price range of $150 to $800. The range is so wide because many variables exist in the bathroom, including the bathtub, toilet, or sink. A pipe leaking beneath the bathroom sink is a relatively simple, inexpensive fix, but a more significant problem underneath the bathtub or shower is a more complex, time-consuming, and costly repair.

Basement

The cost to repair a burst pipe in the basement is $200 to $600. However, if the pipes are beneath a concrete floor, you can pay anywhere from $500 to $4,500 for an average cost of $2,350.

Typically, if a pipe bursts in the basement, it's due to major clogs, corrosion, and extreme temperature drops. The pipes need replacement, hence the higher cost. Basement pipe problems require you to shut off the water and call a plumbing pro right away, or you risk extensive and costly damage from flooding and mold.

If you have a pipe burst in or below a concrete slab, a plumber can often reroute it above the floor, saving you time and money on repairs.

Burst Pipe Signs & Prevention

There are several ways to detect a burst pipe as well as ways to prevent this problem from occurring in the first place. 

Signs of a Burst Pipe

You can use several telltale signs to know that your pipe has burst. These include the following:

• Water stains on the walls and ceilings

• Higher water bill

• Mold growth

• Puddles

• Strange smells

• Sounds of clanging pipes and/or dripping

How to Prevent Pipe Bursts

Burst pipes are not only inconvenient and costly to fix, but they can also be dangerous, leading to mold growth and ruined appliances. These tips will help prevent burst pipes and prevent frozen pipes, especially in the wintertime:

• Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your house warm, even when you’re not home.

• Turn on water faucets to keep the water moving through the pipes.

• Leave your cabinet doors open to allow warm air in.

• Install heat tape to keep your pipes warm.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pipe Repair Pro

While it might be tempting to tackle a burst pipe repair yourself to save money, it's important to consider the risks. Unless you're certain the leak is small and isolated, attempting a DIY fix could lead to more damage. You can use a pipe repair kit costing around $25 for a temporary solution while you wait for a professional. Remember to turn off your water supply and, if necessary, the electricity in the affected area. Hiring a licensed plumber ensures the repair is done safely and effectively, preventing further issues down the line.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.