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Burst Pipe Repair Cost: What to Expect

The pipe repair itself is often a few hundred dollars. Where the pipe is, how much of it has to be replaced, and how much water got out are what move the total.

Updated November 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

Most burst pipe repairs run $200 to $3,000, and the average is about $500, according to cost data from Angi and HomeAdvisor. About 80% of the bill is labor. Repairs on pipe under a concrete floor or behind a concrete wall can reach $4,500 (Angi). Water damage cleanup is a separate cost on top of the plumbing.

What does it cost to fix a burst pipe?

  • Typical range: $200 to $3,000, with an average of about $500 (Angi; HomeAdvisor).
  • Small, easy-to-reach section: as little as $150 (Angi).
  • Per linear foot of pipe replaced: $150 to $250, labor and materials included (Angi).
  • Replacing the pipe rather than patching it: $360 to $2,000 (Angi).

These are national figures. Prices in your area may be higher or lower.

How does location change the price?

Average ranges from Angi, including labor:

  • Kitchen: $150 to $500
  • Inside a wall: $150 to $500, not counting the drywall repair
  • Bathroom: $150 to $800
  • Basement, exposed pipe: $200 to $600
  • Under a concrete floor or behind a concrete wall: up to $4,500
  • Main water line: $150 to $2,000
  • Sewer line: $1,300 to $4,700

Pipe inside a ceiling or wall also means cutting and patching drywall. See the ceiling repair cost guide for those figures.

Water still coming in or standing? A local restoration company can start water removal now.

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How do plumbers charge?

Labor is about 80% of a burst pipe repair bill (Angi; HomeAdvisor). Typical charges (Angi):

  • Hourly rate: $45 to $200 an hour
  • Flat fee: $100 to $1,250, depending on the job
  • Travel fee: $50 to $300
  • Emergency call-out fee: $100 to $300
  • Thawing a frozen pipe: about $100 flat

Ask whether the quote is hourly or flat, and whether an after-hours fee applies, before work starts.

Does the type of pipe matter?

Less than you might think. The pipe itself costs $0.50 to $30 per linear foot, depending on material. Installed, most materials land between about $150 and $280 per foot, because labor is most of the cost (Angi).

  • PVC: $150 to $260 per foot installed
  • Copper: $150 to $275 per foot installed
  • Galvanized steel: $155 to $260 per foot installed
  • Cast iron: $160 to $280 per foot installed

Homes built before 1986 may still have cast-iron pipe (HomeAdvisor). Corroded older pipe can mean replacing more than the one spot that failed. See why pipes burst when they aren't frozen.

Can you patch it yourself until the plumber comes?

For a small leak, yes, as a stopgap. Silicone pipe tape, plumbing epoxy, or a repair kit with a clamp and gasket can seal it for now (Angi). HomeAdvisor puts a pipe repair kit at about $25 (HomeAdvisor). The permanent fix is cutting out the damaged section and adding a coupling, or replacing the pipe between joints (Angi).

Shut off the main water valve first. A patch is not a reason to leave the water running.

Will insurance pay for a burst pipe?

Often, if it was sudden and accidental. Policies may not cover a burst pipe or the damage from it if it came from a lack of maintenance or neglect (HomeAdvisor; Angi). Damage from a slow leak over time is often not covered (Insurance Information Institute).

Photograph the pipe and the damage before anything is removed, and keep the plumber's invoice. See does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

Common questions

How much does a plumber charge to fix a burst pipe?

Most burst pipe repairs cost $200 to $3,000, averaging about $500, according to Angi and HomeAdvisor. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 an hour or a flat fee, and an emergency call-out can add $100 to $300.

Why is a burst pipe under the slab so much more?

The plumber has to break through concrete to reach the pipe, then patch the floor. Angi puts repairs under a concrete floor or behind a concrete wall at up to $4,500.

Does the repair price include water damage cleanup?

No. Plumbing repair and water damage cleanup are separate jobs and separate bills. The plumber fixes the pipe, and a restoration company removes the water and dries the house.

Is it cheaper to fix a burst pipe myself?

A repair kit or epoxy can hold a small leak until a plumber arrives. A permanent repair means cutting out the damaged section or replacing the pipe, which most homeowners leave to a plumber.

Related guides

Local water damage help

Each state page lists the towns we cover, with local shut-off and sewer numbers and flood notes.

Town pages that cover this problem, with local water and sewer numbers:

Sources:

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