When a burst pipe floods a North Las Vegas house, the first move is the main shutoff, the second is a plumber, and the third is drying the wall cavity the pipe soaked, not just the floor you can see.
- First move
- Shut the main water valve.
- Freeze nights
- North Las Vegas averages 18 nights at or below 32F.
- Hidden water
- Wall cavities stay wet long after the floor looks dry.
- Call
- (702) 602-6461 after the water is off.
Yes, pipes freeze here too
Freezing is not the first thing people think of in the desert, but the North Las Vegas weather station averages 18 nights a year at or below 32 degrees, with a median first freeze around December 8 and a last freeze around February 1. A hose bib on a north wall, a line in an unheated garage or attic, or a pipe near a gap that lets wind in can freeze on those nights.
If a faucet only trickles on a cold morning, assume a frozen pipe. Open the faucet and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or warm towels. Never use a torch. Check every other faucet too, because the same cold reached them.
More often it is a part that wore out
Most leaks we see are not frozen pipes. They are parts that reached the end of their life. Washer hoses, toilet supply lines, the braided line under a sink, a fridge ice maker line, a water heater connection. Braided stainless washer hoses are the recommended type and most sources say to replace them every 3 to 5 years.
Very hard valley water is part of the story. The Las Vegas Valley Water District rates its water at 16 grains per gallon. Minerals build up in valves and fittings, and that is worth keeping in mind when you decide how old is too old for a supply line.
Drying a wall without tearing it all out
A leak inside a wall does not mean the whole wall comes down. Readings around the wet area find its edges. Sometimes small holes at the bottom of the wall, behind the base, let dry air into the cavity. Sometimes a section has to come out because the drywall is past saving or the water was dirty. The decision should come from the meter, not from habit.
Drywall can be damaged at just over 1 percent moisture content. That is why a wall that feels dry to the hand can still read wet.
Your first ten minutes
- Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances.
- Shut off the main valve. Know where it is before you need it.
- If you can reach the breaker from a dry spot, cut power to the wet area.
- Call a plumber to fix the pipe.
- Take photos for insurance, then call or text us.
Where we do this
North Las Vegas, Aliante, Sun City Aliante, Eldorado, Villages at Tule Springs, Valley Vista, Craig Ranch Park Area, Centennial Hills, Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson.