What should I do about a burst pipe?
Shut off the main water valve first — everything else is second. Then kill power to the area if water is near outlets, open a faucet to drain pressure, and move what you can. Emergency repair of a burst pipe typically costs $500–$1,500 for the pipe itself; water damage is the expensive part, which is why the first 10 minutes matter most.
Likely causes
- Frozen pipe that thawed — The classic winter burst — the pipe splits while frozen and floods on thaw.
- Corroded or aging pipe — Old galvanized and copper lines fail at weak points, often at joints.
- Excess water pressure — Pressure spikes stress every weak point in the system.
What you can check yourself
- Main shutoff: usually near the street meter or where the line enters the house. Find yours before you ever need it.
- After shutoff, open the lowest faucet to drain the lines.
- Photograph everything for insurance before cleanup.
Typical cost
Emergency pipe repair typically $500–$1,500 in Portland, OR; after-hours calls carry a premium. Mitigation (drying) is separate — insurers often cover it.
When to call a pro
Immediately — this is the definition of an emergency call. Every pro listed below shows a phone number; pick one and call, don't fill out forms.
Plumber pros in Portland, OR
- Portland Plumbing & Drain · 818 SW 3rd Ave PMB 81, Portland, OR · +15033343996
- BP Plumbing & Construction Services · 418 SW 4th Ave Ste 410, Portland, OR · 8889095997
- REALISTIC PLUMBING INC · PO BOX 22206, MILWAUKIE, OR · 5033190010
- AGENT PLUMBING INC · PO BOX 231121, TIGARD, OR · 5035793132
- ALLIANT SYSTEMS LLC · 831 SW 17TH AVE, Portland, OR · 5036194000
- Einstein Pros Plumbing Portland · 618 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR · 5038214070
- Anytime Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Service · 3333 NW 35th Ave, Portland, OR · 9718084382
- Green Box Mechanical · 3265 NW 29th Ave, Portland, OR · +15032220555
Get free quotes from Portland, OR pros →
Data by Servik — verified local pros from official license records and public sources. Cost figures are typical ranges, not quotes; a pro's written estimate is the real number.