When a pipe bursts in Reston, turn the main valve off, kill power to anything electrical near the water and start moving belongings out of the way. A plumber can then find the split and replace it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston at a glance
Reston's planned villages, from Lake Anne to South Lakes and Reston Town Center, mix townhouses, condos and detached homes, with a median build year of 1983. Fairfax Water provides the water and Fairfax County handles the sewers. Fairfax Water owns the meter, while the pipe from the meter or street valve to your main shutoff, and everything inside, belongs to the owner.
What to do in the next few minutes
- Close the main. It is usually where the line enters the house, often in a basement or utility closet. In a townhouse or condo, the unit valve may be near the water heater or in a mechanical closet.
- Stop the water heater. Turn an electric unit off at the breaker or set a gas unit to pilot.
- Stay away from wet wiring. If water is near the panel or reaching outlets, keep out of the area and do not touch the breaker box.
- Drain the lines. Open the lowest faucet in the home to relieve what is left in the pipes.
- Warn the neighbors. In attached housing, water can travel into the unit next door or below, and a shared riser may need building staff.
- Take pictures. Photograph the leak, the pipe and damaged items before cleanup for your insurer.
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
(202) 915-7612Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water from the wall behind an outside faucet after a freeze | Ice split the pipe inside the wall, even with a frost-free spigot if a hose was left on |
| Ceiling drip under a bathroom | Failed supply line, valve or fitting above |
| Pressure gone throughout the house | Major break somewhere on the supply side |
| A wet strip in the lawn near the meter | Leak in the private service line |
| Puddle under a sink or by the washer | Burst flexible connector |
Cost factors
- How much wall, ceiling or flooring must be opened to reach the break
- Pipe type and how many fittings need replacing
- Shared-wall or stacked-unit access in townhouses and condos
- Excavation if the service line in the yard failed
- After-hours timing
A plumber can explain whether the repair needs a Fairfax County permit before starting larger rerouting work.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Reston
Water is bubbling up near the street or the meter box. Who do I call?
Call Fairfax Water customer service at 703-698-5800. Fairfax Water owns the meter; the pipe from the meter or street valve to the shutoff inside your house is yours to repair.
How does a plumber find a break hidden behind drywall?
Plumbers check whether the meter moves with everything off, listen for running water and use moisture readings to narrow down the spot before cutting. That keeps the opening in the wall as small as possible.
How do we keep an empty house from flooding during a winter trip?
Keep the heat on, open sink cabinet doors on exterior walls, disconnect garden hoses and close the main before you leave. Ask someone to check the house during a long cold stretch.
Does hard water make pipes fail sooner?
Fairfax Water's water is moderately hard, about 7.5 grains per gallon on average from its Potomac plant. Scale mostly affects valves, connectors and water heaters rather than causing pipes to burst on their own.
More plumbing services in Reston
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Helpful guides
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
(202) 915-7612Sources
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