Frozen and Burst Pipe Repair in Seattle-Tacoma
Shut off your main water valve, then book a licensed plumber. $99 dispatch, repairs quoted on site, and $50 off burst or frozen pipe repairs.
Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • WA Plumbing Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA751QG • BBB Accredited Business since 2002 • Best Pick 2025 and 2026
Pipe burst or frozen? Do this first
If a pipe has burst, shut off your home's main water valve now, then open a faucet at the lowest point to drain the line. If you can't close the valve, call your water utility. Then book a Home Comfort Alliance licensed plumber to repair the burst or frozen pipe. Book by phone or online. Our plumbers work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
- Close the main shutoff. It is usually where the water line enters the house: in a basement, crawl space or garage, or near the water heater. Seattle Public Utilities notes it can also be outdoors. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Open the cold faucets on the lowest floor to drain the water still in the pipes.
- Keep away from electrical items near water. Don't touch outlets, cords or appliances standing in water.
- If the whole house is without water, turn off the power or gas to the water heater, as Tacoma Water advises.
- Can't close the valve? Call your water utility. Seattle Public Utilities customers can call (206) 386-1800, and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a service charge. Tacoma Water: 253-502-8384. Everett Public Works: 425-257-8821. In other cities, call the number on your water bill.
- Take photos of the break and any water damage before cleanup, for your insurer.
- Book the repair. Tell us where the water is coming from and whether you have the water off.
Did your pipes freeze because the heat went out? Getting the heat back on helps stop more pipes from freezing; our guide to protecting your pipes while the furnace is down has steps to take in the meantime. Our plumber repairs any broken pipe during business hours.
Frozen or burst? The signs
A frozen pipe slows or stops the water at a tap; a burst pipe lets water out where it shouldn't be. Often a pipe does both: it freezes, splits, and only starts leaking once the ice thaws.
Signs a pipe is frozen
- Only a trickle, or no water at all, comes out of one faucet while others work
- Frost on an exposed pipe in a crawl space, garage or under a sink
- The trouble started on a very cold night, at a sink on an outside wall or a fixture over a crawl space
Signs a pipe has burst
- Water spraying or pooling under a sink, in the garage or in the crawl space
- Wet or bulging drywall, or a new stain on a ceiling
- Hissing or running water inside a wall when every tap is off
- Your water meter keeps moving with every tap and appliance off
If you suspect a leak you can't see, our leak detection and repair page explains the meter and dye tests you can do yourself.
How to thaw a frozen pipe safely
Open the faucet first, then warm the frozen section slowly, starting at the faucet end and working back toward the cold spot. Running water through the pipe helps melt the ice, and an open faucet gives melting water somewhere to go.
- Open the faucet the pipe feeds, both hot and cold.
- Wrap the pipe in towels soaked in hot water, or use a heating pad or a hair dryer, as Seattle Public Utilities suggests.
- Keep warming until full water pressure comes back, then check the pipe and nearby walls for drips.
- Never use an open flame, such as a torch or a propane heater, on a pipe.
- Don't use electrical devices if there is standing water.
If you can't find or reach the frozen section, or it is inside a wall, call a licensed plumber. Keep the main shutoff within reach while the pipe thaws, in case a split opens up.
Who to call: your utility, your plumber or both
Call your water utility when you can't stop the water or the break is at the meter or in the street; call a licensed plumber for any break on your side of the meter. Tacoma Water, for example, owns the pipes in the street up to and including the meter, and the homeowner is responsible for repairs from the meter to the home.
| Situation | Who to call | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You can't find or close your main shutoff | Your water utility (SPU (206) 386-1800; Tacoma Water 253-502-8384; Everett Public Works 425-257-8821) | The utility can turn the water off at the meter. SPU charges a service charge for this. |
| The break is inside the house or between the meter and the house | A licensed plumber | That pipe is the homeowner's to repair. |
| Water is leaking at the meter or in the street | Your water utility | Pipes up to and including the meter belong to the utility. |
| The pipes froze because the heat stopped working | A heating technician for the heat, a plumber for the pipe | Getting the heat back on helps stop more pipes from freezing. The plumber repairs the pipe during business hours. |
| Water has soaked floors, walls or ceilings | Your insurer and a restoration company | Drying out and repairing water damage is separate from fixing the pipe. |
Sources: Seattle Public Utilities, preparing for winter in Seattle (January 2024); Tacoma Water customer brochure (revised December 2008) and Tacoma Public Utilities leak page (October 2026); City of Everett frozen pipe brochure.
Where pipes freeze in Puget Sound homes
Pipes freeze where they run through cold, unheated space. Our winters are mild most of the time, so many homes aren't built for the short, sharp cold snaps that do arrive, and those are the nights pipes split.
- Crawl spaces, especially with vents left open or insulation that has fallen away
- Garages and unheated utility rooms
- Exterior walls, including kitchen and bathroom sinks on an outside wall
- Unheated attics
- Outdoor faucets (hose bibs), above all with a hose still attached
- Older, lightly insulated homes, where pipes were never wrapped
Repair or replace?
Most burst pipes are repaired, not replaced: the plumber cuts out the split section and puts in new pipe. Your plumber confirms the right fix on site and gives you the price before any work begins.
- A single split or cracked fitting: the damaged section is cut out and replaced.
- Pipes that keep failing, or old corroded pipe: your plumber may recommend whole-home repiping, which we also do.
- Very high water pressure: pressure puts extra strain on pipes and fittings. We replace pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) when one has failed.
Burst and frozen pipe repair cost
Our plumbing dispatch fee is $99, and your plumber quotes the pipe repair on site before any work begins. The price depends on where the break is, how easy it is to reach, the type of pipe and how much needs replacing.
Home Comfort Alliance prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Plumbing dispatch (trip) fee | $99 |
| Burst or frozen pipe repair | Quoted by the plumber on site, before any work begins |
Prices as of September 2026. Upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins.
Current offer
$50 off burst pipe or frozen pipe repairs. Get $50 off professional repair service for qualifying burst or frozen pipe issues.
Valid on qualifying burst or frozen pipe repair services. Limit one offer per household. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion, or with Home Comfort Club pricing. Additional restrictions may apply. See current offers.
Cost benchmarks (third-party estimates)
Angi's national estimate for burst pipe repair averages $500, with most homeowners paying $200 to $3,000, or $150 to $250 per linear foot of pipe (national estimate, Angi, updated October 2026). For the Seattle area, Angi lists burst pipe repair at $170 to $5,560 (regional estimate, Angi, updated August 2026). These are third-party estimates, not our prices.
Financing
Low monthly payment plans starting at $179/month* through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, with 0% interest options for qualifying customers. See financing.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
Get an estimateA comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Insurance and water damage
Many homeowners policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, as long as reasonable care was taken. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes that policies often cover the resulting water damage when frozen pipes burst, may require you to keep the heat on or shut the water off when a home is empty, and may not cover damage caused by neglect.
- Photograph the break and the damage before cleanup.
- Keep receipts for the repair and for any drying out.
- Call your insurer early, and read your own policy: coverage varies.
For soaked floors, walls or ceilings, call your insurer and a restoration company. Our plumber's job is to fix the pipe and get your water back on.
Prevent frozen pipes and winterize your home
The best protection is warmth and insulation: keep cold air off your pipes and keep the heat on. Do these before the first hard freeze, drawn from Seattle Public Utilities, the City of Everett and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
- If an outdoor faucet has a shutoff inside the house, close it and drain the faucet.
- Cover outdoor faucets with an insulated cover.
- Insulate pipes in the crawl space, garage and attic, and caulk gaps where pipes enter the house.
- On the coldest nights, open sink cabinets on outside walls and let a faucet drip.
- Keep the heat on when you're away.
- Find your main water shutoff and test it, so you can close it fast.
- Keep your water meter box clear of snow and debris.
- Have your heating serviced before winter. A furnace tune-up is $230 ($180 for Home Comfort Club members); see heating and cooling maintenance.
Our Plumbing plan in the Home Comfort Club is $15 a month and includes a yearly plumbing inspection that checks incoming water pressure, shut-off valves, hose bibs and the visible piping under sinks.
Hose bibs
Frost-proof hose bibs can still split if a hose is left connected, because water stays trapped in the valve. A split often doesn't leak until you turn the faucet on in spring. If yours is cracked or drips, we can replace a split hose bib.
How burst pipe repair works with us
- Shut off the water at the main valve, or have your utility shut it off at the meter.
- Book by phone or online. We schedule the first business-hours visit, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
- Your plumber finds the break. If the leak is hidden, see how we find a hidden leak.
- You get an upfront price before any work begins, with the $50 burst or frozen pipe offer applied.
- We repair the pipe, test it under pressure and turn your water back on. Our trucks are fully stocked, so most repairs can be handled on the spot.
- We show you how to keep it from happening again, and recommend repiping or a new pressure-reducing valve only if your pipes need it.
Renting? We can book the visit when you're the one paying for it; otherwise we'll take your landlord's details and call them.
A recent Central Seattle plumbing visit
In October 2026 one of our plumbers visited a Central Seattle home booked to service its Rinnai tankless water heater and add insulation to exposed water pipes before winter.
On the water heater he descaled the unit, cleaned the fan and filters, checked the relief valve and looked at the burner flame, and found everything in good working order. Insulating exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages and outside walls is one of the simplest ways to keep them from freezing in a cold snap.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Licensed residential plumbers: WA Plumbing Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA751QG (verify with L&I)
- Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD)
- A published $99 dispatch fee and upfront pricing before any work begins
- Heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical in one company, so the heat and the pipes can both be fixed
- A yearly plumbing inspection with the Home Comfort Club that checks shut-off valves and hose bibs
- Serving homeowners since 1977, with 4.8 stars from 5,000+ reviews
- Best Pick 2025 and 2026, and a BBB Accredited Business since 2002
Where we repair frozen and burst pipes
Our plumbers repair frozen and burst pipes in homes across King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties, from offices in Sumner (headquarters), Everett and Bremerton, and our Redmond service location. Homes with crawl spaces, older uninsulated pipes and outdoor faucets on exposed hillsides are where we see the most freeze damage.
- Plumbers near you: Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett and Bremerton
- More plumbing service areas: Renton, Federal Way, Issaquah, Lynnwood, Gig Harbor, Silverdale and Olympia
Frozen and burst pipe FAQ
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Shut off your home's main water valve, then open a cold faucet at the lowest point to drain the line. Keep away from electrical items near standing water. If you can't close the valve, call your water utility. Then book a licensed plumber by phone or online.
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually where the water line enters the house: in a basement, crawl space or garage, or near the water heater. It can also be outside. Find it and test it before winter.
I can't turn off my water. Who do I call?
Your water utility. Seattle Public Utilities customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will shut off water at the meter for a service charge. Tacoma Water customers can call 253-502-8384. Everett customers can call Everett Public Works at 425-257-8821.
Can a plumber come out tonight or on the weekend?
No. You can book by phone or online, and our plumbers work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
How much does burst pipe repair cost?
Our plumbing dispatch fee is $99, and your plumber quotes the repair on site before any work begins. Right now you get $50 off burst pipe or frozen pipe repairs. For comparison, Angi's national estimate averages $500 (updated October 2026).
How do I thaw a frozen pipe safely?
Open the faucet, then warm the pipe with towels soaked in hot water, a heating pad or a hair dryer, starting near the faucet. Never use an open flame, and don't use electrical devices if there is standing water. If you can't find or reach the frozen section, call a licensed plumber.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
Not always, but ice can split a pipe, and the leak often shows only after it thaws. Watch the pipe and nearby walls as water comes back, and check your water meter with every tap off.
Which pipes freeze first in Puget Sound homes?
Pipes in crawl spaces, garages, unheated attics and outside walls, and outdoor hose bibs. Insulate them, open sink cabinets on outside walls and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
Do frost-proof hose bibs freeze?
They can split if a hose is left connected, because water stays trapped in the valve. Disconnect hoses before the first freeze. A damaged hose bib may not leak until you turn it on in spring.
Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe when reasonable care was taken, such as keeping the heat on. Coverage varies, so check your policy and call your insurer.
Can a burst pipe be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Usually the split section is cut out and replaced. If pipes keep failing or are old and corroded, your plumber may recommend repiping, which we also do.
Are your plumbers licensed?
Yes. Home Comfort Alliance holds WA Plumbing Contractor License #HOMECCA751QG (residential) and WA Contractor Registration #HOMECCA785BD, and is licensed, bonded and insured in Washington. Our plumbing work is for homes.
Sources
- Seattle Public Utilities, At Your Service blog, preparing for winter in Seattle (January 2024; opened October 2026)
- Tacoma Water, customer water service brochure (revised December 2008)
- Tacoma Public Utilities, water leaks page (updated October 1, 2026)
- City of Everett, Public Works frozen pipe prevention brochure (opened October 2026)
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), frozen pipes and homeowners insurance (February 8, 2024)
- Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), freeze protection tips (opened October 2026)
- Angi, burst pipe repair cost (national, updated October 6, 2026)
- Angi, Seattle plumbing cost data, burst pipe repair (updated August 4, 2026)
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for Pipe Repair?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
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Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Book a plumber for a frozen or burst pipe
Licensed residential plumbers, a $99 dispatch fee and an upfront price before any work begins, with 4.8 stars from 5,000+ reviews.
Get an estimate
Book by phone or online. Our plumbers work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.