Burst and leaking pipe water damage in Las Vegas

Burst pipe water damage starts at the main shutoff, which LVVWD says is usually in the front yard near the sewer riser cap, in the garage or at the home's manifold.

Close view from below of a corroded hole in a pipe bend, wet with rust and mineral crust — FIG. 01Water dripping from a rusted spot on a pipe bend, seen from below. Shamrock Lee, CC BY 4.0.

Shut it off, then call

Water from a pressurized line keeps coming until the valve closes. LVVWD tells customers the main shutoff is usually in the front yard near the sewer riser cap, in the garage or at the home's manifold system. Find it before you need it. LVVWD also says the pipes from the meter to the home are the owner's to repair, while a leak in the street goes to LVVWD Customer Care at (702) 870-4194.

Freeze is rare, so look at the other causes

NOAA normals show about 10.7 nights a year at or below 32F at the airport. A frozen pipe is possible on an exposed outdoor line, but it is not the main cause here. Leaks at fittings, supply lines to sinks and toilets, and water heaters are far more common indoor sources. LVVWD rates the water at about 16 grains per gallon, very hard, and scale builds in fixtures and heaters over time.

Opening walls the careful way

We read the wall with a moisture meter before cutting. Where drywall is wet above the drying target, a strip at the bottom comes out so air can reach the cavity. Where it reads dry, it stays. That keeps the rebuild small. The plumber's repair usually needs a permit for concealed piping. The City of Las Vegas lists water piping replacement on its online permits list. Homes in unincorporated Clark County or North Las Vegas use their own permit offices.

The first hour

Clock	Action	Why
0 min	Get people out of the water	Do not walk or drive through moving water. Ready.gov says six inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot can sweep a car away.
2 min	Stop the source if you safely can	For a pipe, close the main shutoff. LVVWD says it is usually in the front yard near the sewer riser cap, in the garage or at the home's manifold.
5 min	Keep away from wet power	Ready.gov says not to touch electrical equipment that is wet or while you stand in water. Leave the breaker panel alone if the floor around it is wet.
10 min	Call or text (702) 602-9420	Tell us where the water came from, which rooms are wet and whether it came in from outside. That decides the crew and the gear.
15 min	Photograph everything before it moves	Wide shots of each room, close shots of the water line on walls, and the source. Your insurer will ask for these.
30 min	Lift and separate	Move rugs, boxes and furniture off wet floors. Put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs that must stay.
45 min	Treat flood water as dirty	Floodwater can be contaminated, per Ready.gov. Wear gloves and boots. Keep children and pets out.
60 min	Start the 48 hour clock	EPA says to dry water damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Extraction and drying should start inside that window.

Table. The first hour, from Ready.gov, EPA and LVVWD guidance.

Local numbers behind this page

Measure	Value	Source
Nights at 32F or below	10.7	NOAA NCEI 1991 to 2020 annual normals
LVVWD water hardness	about 16 gpg	Las Vegas Valley Water District
LVVWD Customer Care, street leaks	(702) 870-4194	Las Vegas Valley Water District
City of Las Vegas Building and Safety	(702) 229-6251	City of Las Vegas
Seepage cutoff, American Family form	1 week	American Family homeowners form HO 80 03 01 14

Table. Each value links to its source.

Burst and Leaking Pipes questions

Where is my main water shutoff?

LVVWD says it is usually in the front yard near the sewer riser cap, in the garage or in the home's manifold system.

Who fixes a leak between the meter and my house?

LVVWD says the pipes from the meter to the home are the property owner's responsibility. A leak in the street goes to LVVWD Customer Care at (702) 870-4194.

How can I tell if I have a hidden leak?

LVVWD suggests turning off all water inside and out, then watching the flow indicator on the meter. If it still moves, you may have a leak.

Do pipes freeze in Las Vegas?

Rarely. NOAA normals show about 10.7 nights a year at or below 32F at the airport, so outdoor exposed pipes are the ones at risk.

Does a pipe repair need a permit?

The City of Las Vegas lists water piping replacement and drain or vent repair on its online permits list. County and North Las Vegas homes use their own offices.

Will you cut open my walls?

Only where moisture readings show the wall cannot dry in place. A strip at the bottom is often enough for air to reach the cavity.

Is a burst pipe covered by insurance?

Many homeowners forms cover sudden and accidental discharge but not the repair of the pipe itself, and several exclude slow leaks over a set period. Check your form.

What if the leak ran for weeks?

Some forms on file in Nevada exclude seepage that lasts one week or longer, others 14 days. That makes the leak's age part of the claim.

Do you repair the pipe?

Pipe repair is plumbing work. We handle the water, the drying and the rebuild, and coordinate with your plumber.

How fast can you start?

Call or text (702) 602-9420. Extraction and drying should start inside EPA's 24 to 48 hour window.