What to Do When a Water Pipe Bursts Outside
Quick answer
If a pipe bursts outside, shut off your outdoor valve at the meter box near the curb, then drain indoor faucets and outdoor bibs to relieve pressure. Document the wet area, then run the meter-dial test to see if the break is the utility's problem or yours. Call the right party: your water utility, or a licensed plumber.
Key takeaways
- Repair typically costs $200 to $3,000, with about $500 as a common estimate, according to CNBC Select.
- Keep water pressure between 30 and 50 PSI and never let it exceed 60 PSI, per High5 Plumbing, to avoid stressing outdoor pipes.
- The water meter is the legal boundary: the utility is responsible up to the meter, and you are responsible for the service line from the meter's outlet onward, per Utility Explained.
- Watch for seven warning signs together: a high water bill, low pressure, discolored water, a wet yard patch, a lush grass streak, hissing sounds, and mold.
- Optional water-line insurance riders cost roughly $40 to $160 a year, according to Experian, since standard homeowners policies exclude normal wear and corrosion.
On this page
- How to immediately shut off water when a pipe bursts outside
- How to tell if the burst is your responsibility or the utility's
- Seven signs your outdoor water line has burst
- How much does it cost to repair a burst outdoor water pipe?
- Can a burst water line cause a sinkhole or foundation damage?
- Temporary emergency repair methods for outdoor water pipes
- How to prevent outdoor pipes from freezing and bursting
- When to call a professional
- Frequently asked questions
How to immediately shut off water when a pipe bursts outside
Shut off your outdoor emergency shutoff valve first, before doing anything else. It is almost always in a buried meter box near your curb or property line.
Find the meter box
Walk the edge of your property, especially near the curb and sidewalk. Look for a rectangular or round cover, often marked "water meter," according to Mr. Rooter.
That box holds your main water shutoff valve. Lift the cover with a flathead screwdriver or your fingers; some covers are heavy cast iron.
Identify your valve type
A ball valve has a lever or handle; turn it a quarter turn until it sits crosswise to the pipe to shut it. A gate valve is a round wheel; turn it clockwise several full turns until it stops.
Turn it off and drain the lines
- Turn the valve fully off (lever crosswise, or wheel clockwise until it will not turn further).
- Open every indoor faucet, starting with the highest one in the house, to relieve pressure.
- Open any outdoor hose bibs and low-point or basement drains to let standing water out.
- Leave faucets open until water stops running, then call a plumber.
If the meter box is buried too deep to reach, flooded, or the valve will not move, stop forcing it and call a plumber; forcing a corroded valve can snap it off. For the matching indoor sequence, see our guide on what to do when a pipe bursts inside the house.
How to tell if the burst is your responsibility or the utility's
The water meter marks the legal boundary. The utility owns and maintains the pipe up to the meter; you own the service line from the meter's outlet to your house, according to Utility Explained.
Run the meter-dial test
Shut off your main valve, then watch the meter's leak-indicator dial for about 10 minutes. If the dial keeps moving, water is still escaping on the utility's side of the meter.
If the dial stops moving once the valve is shut, the leak is on your side of the service line, per Utility Explained.
| Dial behavior after shutoff | Likely leak location | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps moving | Before the meter | Your water utility |
| Stops moving | After the meter, on your service line | A licensed plumber |
This test takes about 10 minutes, per Utility Explained, and saves hours spent calling the wrong party. If your water meter itself is leaking at a fitting rather than the line, the same dial test still applies.
Seven signs your outdoor water line has burst
Seven signs point to an outside break: a sudden high water bill, low pressure at every faucet, discolored water, a wet or sunken yard patch, an unusually green strip of grass, hissing sounds with interior water off, and mold or a musty smell near the wet spot.
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sudden high water bill | Water is escaping continuously underground |
| Low pressure in every faucet | Pressure is leaking out before it reaches the house |
| Discolored or murky water | Soil is entering the broken line |
| Wet patch, sinkhole, or depression in the yard | Water is surfacing or washing out soil |
| One unusually green, lush strip of grass | The break is acting like an underground sprinkler |
| Hissing or gurgling with interior water off | Water is still moving through an outside line |
| Mold or musty smell near the wet area | Standing moisture has been there long enough to grow mold |
Restoration1 and TruFinity both list these seven signs; the high-bill-plus-wet-yard combination is the most common pairing. If the leak instead seems to be on the street side of your property, it may be a leaking water main rather than your own service line.
How much does it cost to repair a burst outdoor water pipe?
Repair typically costs between $200 and $3,000, with around $500 as a common midpoint, according to CNBC Select. The exact price depends on depth, location, and how much digging is needed.
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Depth and burial | Deeper lines need more excavation time and labor |
| Accessibility | A line under a driveway or sidewalk costs more than one in open yard |
| Pipe material and age | Older, corroded pipe may need a longer replacement run, not just a patch |
| Restoration | Replacing landscaping, sod, or concrete adds to the final bill |
Get at least two plumber quotes before approving major excavation; prices vary by region and by how the break is accessed. See our full breakdown of water damage restoration costs if the burst also flooded part of your home.
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover service-line repairs caused by age, corrosion, or normal wear. Optional water and sewer line coverage riders are available from most insurers for an added $40 to $160 a year, according to Experian; the coverage amount depends on the policy you choose.
This is general information; check your own policy for exact terms. If the burst also caused sudden interior water damage, that part of a claim may be covered even though the buried line itself usually is not; see does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe for the general coverage rules.
Can a burst water line cause a sinkhole or foundation damage?
Yes. Water escaping underground erodes and saturates the soil beneath your yard and foundation, and that soil can eventually collapse into a sinkhole, according to Atlantis Plumbing.
The same erosion can crack foundations, settle slabs, and buckle driveways over time. The longer water keeps flowing, the larger the void underneath grows.
When this becomes urgent
- Wet ground or standing water visible in the yard: do not wait; arrange repair as soon as you can.
- Foundation cracks, driveway buckling, or a sinking patch near the wet area: treat it as urgent and get a professional assessment right away.
- A sewage smell near the wet spot: treat it as a health hazard and call a plumber right away, not just a water issue.
Do not wait out a known outdoor leak hoping it dries up on its own. Soil erosion continues as long as water keeps moving underground.
Temporary emergency repair methods for outdoor water pipes
Yes, a temporary patch can slow the leak while you wait for a plumber, according to Delta Plumbers, but none of these fixes are permanent.
| Method | How it works | How long it holds |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber patch and hose clamps | Wrap rubber sheeting over the break and tighten hose clamps around it | Hours to a couple of days at low pressure |
| Epoxy putty | Knead two-part epoxy putty and press it over the crack | Sets quickly, following the product's directions; holds until replaced |
| Pipe repair tape | Stretch self-fusing silicone tape tightly around the pipe | Short term; weakens under full pressure |
| Pipe repair clamp | A two-piece metal sleeve with a rubber gasket bolts around the break | Most durable of the temporary options |
Shut the water off before applying any of these, let the pipe dry if you can, then turn the water back on slowly to check the patch. High-pressure lines can blow through a temporary patch, so do not leave the house unattended with the water back on.
A plumber will still need to replace or properly repair the damaged section. For a full look at repair options, see our guide on how to fix a burst pipe.
How to prevent outdoor pipes from freezing and bursting
Freezing is the leading cause of outdoor pipe bursts, since repeated freeze-thaw cycles expand and weaken the pipe wall. Drain and shut off outdoor lines before the first hard freeze, insulate exposed pipe and the meter box, and consider frost-proof outdoor faucets.
Before the first freeze
- Shut off the indoor valve that feeds outdoor spigots, then open the spigot to drain the line.
- Disconnect and store garden hoses; a connected hose traps water in the faucet.
- Wrap exposed outdoor pipe and the meter box with foam pipe sleeves or insulation.
- Fit foam faucet covers over each outdoor spigot.
Finish this checklist before nighttime temperatures start dropping near freezing in your area; in cold climates that often means early fall, well before the first hard freeze. Milder climates should still cover faucets whenever a freeze warning is issued.
Frost-proof (freeze-proof) outdoor faucets shut the water off further back, inside the heated house, so the exposed outdoor section stays empty between uses. This is a one-time upgrade rather than a seasonal chore, per Mr. Rooter.
For whole-house freeze protection beyond the yard lines, see our guide on how to prevent frozen pipes.
When to call a professional
Call immediately if: You see water spraying or puddling, or hear hissing sounds anywhere near your outdoor pipes or water meter.
Call within 24 hours if: You notice a sudden spike in your water bill or find a persistently wet patch in your yard, with no active spray or hissing.
Utility company: Run the meter-dial test first. If the dial keeps moving after you shut off your main valve, the leak is on the utility's side.
Plumber: If the meter dial stops after shutoff, it is your service line. Call a licensed plumber for diagnosis and repair.
Do not delay if: A sinkhole, foundation crack, or basement seepage appears near the burst location; the structure may be at risk.
After hours: Many plumbers offer 24-hour emergency lines; find your local licensed emergency plumber before a crisis happens, not during one.
Frequently asked questions
What causes outdoor water pipes to burst?
The leading causes are freezing, since water expands as it turns to ice in cold climates, and pipe age and corrosion, with pipe built before the late 1960s most at risk, according to High5 Plumbing. Water pressure above the safe 60 PSI limit, tree roots seeking moisture in small cracks, and soil shifting around the pipe round out the main causes.
Why did my water bill suddenly spike?
A sudden jump in your water bill is often the first sign of an underground leak, since a hidden outdoor line can waste a large amount of water before you notice anything else. Turn off every indoor tap, then watch your water meter dial. If it keeps moving, water is still escaping somewhere outside, typically through a buried service line break.
Can a burst outdoor water line cause water damage inside my house?
Yes. Water escaping underground can saturate the soil next to your foundation and seep into a basement or crawl space, which can lead to mold growth and structural damage over time, according to Atlantis Plumbing. Check basements and crawl spaces near the burst area for dampness, and start drying any wet spots right away to limit mold risk.
Can I temporarily patch a burst outdoor pipe myself?
Yes, according to Delta Plumbers. A rubber patch with hose clamps, epoxy putty, pipe repair tape, or a pipe repair clamp can reduce water loss for hours or days while you wait for a plumber, but none of these fixes are permanent. Shut off the water first, and expect a professional to replace the damaged section afterward. High-pressure lines can defeat a temporary patch, so check it often.
How long does it take to repair a burst outdoor water line?
Repair time depends mainly on how deep the line is and how hard it is to reach. A shallow break in open yard is usually faster to expose and fix than one buried under a driveway, sidewalk, or deep trench, which can take a full day once excavation is needed. Ask your plumber for a time estimate once they see the site, since conditions vary too much to promise an exact number upfront.
Will my homeowners insurance cover a burst outdoor water pipe?
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover repair of outdoor service lines damaged by age, corrosion, or freezing. However, optional water and sewer line coverage riders are available from most insurers for roughly $40 to $160 a year, according to Experian, though the coverage amount depends on the policy you choose. If the burst caused sudden water damage inside your home, that interior damage might be covered; the line repair itself usually is not.
How do I know if the burst is inside or outside my house?
Seven signs point to an outdoor break: a sudden high water bill, low pressure in every faucet, a wet yard patch, unusually green grass, hissing sounds when interior water is off, mold near the wet spot, and sinkholes in the soil, per TruFinity and Restoration1. Water pooling under a sink or a damp interior wall points indoors instead. When several outdoor signs appear together, call a plumber to confirm the exact location.
Sources
- CNBC Select: Does Insurance Cover Burst Pipes
- Utility Explained: Who Is Responsible for Water Leaks Before and After the Meter
- High5 Plumbing: 10 Causes Why Your Pipes Can Burst
- TruFinity: How to Tell if a Pipe Burst Underground (7 Signs)
- Restoration1: How To Tell if a Pipe Burst Underground
- Atlantis Plumbing: Can an Underground Water Leak Cause a Sinkhole
- Mr. Rooter: How to Find a Water Shut-Off Valve Outside
- Mr. Rooter: How to Protect Outdoor Faucets From Freezing
- Delta Plumbers: How to Temporarily Fix a Burst Pipe
- Experian: Do You Need Sewer Line Insurance?