If a pipe has burst in your Encinitas home, stop the water at the main, cut power to wet areas and drain the lines. A plumber can then repair or replace the broken section and check for related damage. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Encinitas.
Encinitas homes and burst pipes
The median Encinitas home dates from 1980, so many houses have decades-old supply piping, fittings and valves. Coastal salt air corrodes exterior lines and hose bibs, and failed supply hoses or high water pressure account for many indoor breaks. Water comes from San Dieguito Water District or Olivenhain Municipal Water District depending on the neighborhood.
If the house valve is stiff or won't seal, don't force it until it snaps. The shutoff at the meter is usually utility equipment, so call your water provider's emergency number for help stopping the flow. Once the water is off and the lines are drained, the damage stops spreading.
What to do now
- Close the main shutoff. It's often near the front of the house, in the garage or where the line enters the home.
- Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain remaining water.
- Turn off breakers to wet circuits, but only from a dry spot.
- Set the water heater to pilot or off. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside.
- If the break is at the meter or in the street and you're on San Dieguito Water District service, call its after-hours line at (760) 633-2922, or (760) 633-2658 during business hours. Customers of Olivenhain Municipal Water District should check their statement for the right line.
- Photograph the damage and move belongings away from the water.
Signs and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water spraying under a sink or behind a toilet | Failed braided supply hose or shutoff valve |
| Ceiling stain that grows quickly | Split pipe in the attic or upper floor |
| Corroded outdoor pipe spraying | Salt air corrosion on exterior fittings |
| Pressure gone at every fixture | Major break on the main supply line |
| Flooding in the laundry area | Washing machine hose failure |
| Puddle around the water heater | Failed connection or tank |
Cost factors
- Where the break is and how much needs to be opened up
- Pipe material and length to replace
- Whether nearby pipe is also corroded
- Pressure regulator work if pressure caused the failure
- Permits through City of Encinitas Development Services, Building, for larger pipe replacement
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Encinitas
Where is the main water shutoff in most homes here?
Who do I call if the break is at the meter or in the street?
Can a washing machine or toilet supply hose cause a flood?
What if I smell gas after the flooding?
More plumbing services in Encinitas
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
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