New Orleans · Orleans Parish
Burst and Frozen Pipe Repair in New Orleans, LA
Most older New Orleans houses are raised on piers, so their water pipes run through open air under the floor. Hard freezes are uncommon, but when one arrives, pipes under houses all over the city freeze and split. Insulate them, and know where your shutoff is, usually at the meter box near the sidewalk.
- Independent local pros
- Free referral, no obligation
- You approve the price before work starts
What is different about burst and frozen pipe repair in New Orleans?
The city has a specific request during freezes. Dripping faucets protects individual homes, but when everyone runs water at once the system's pressure can fall, which is what has triggered boil water advisories in past freezes. The Sewerage and Water Board has asked residents to run only a pencil-thin stream, and only when temperatures are actually below freezing.
Insulating the pipes under the house is the more durable fix, and it is easy to reach on a raised house. Wrap exposed lines and hose bibs, and if you leave town in winter, shut off the water and open the faucets. After a freeze, look under the house: a split there may spray unseen onto the ground.
From the New Orleans plumbing guide
Exposed pipes in rare freezes
Pipes under raised houses have no ground or basement to protect them. Hard freezes are uncommon, but when one comes, pipes under houses across the city freeze and split.
What to check and ask before work starts in New Orleans
- Ask the plumber to check every exposed run under the house
- Ask about insulating the pipes while they are accessible
- Ask to be shown the meter-box shutoff and whether you need a key
- Follow any boil water advisory after a pressure drop
Licensing and permits for burst and frozen pipe repair in New Orleans
Louisiana licenses plumbers at the state level through the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana, where a license can be verified. In New Orleans, plumbing permits are issued by the Department of Safety and Permits, and work on the exterior of a building in a historic district may need separate approval.
Keystream Plumbing is a referral service. We do not perform plumbing work or hold a contractor license. The independent plumber you are connected with is responsible for licensing, permits and the work itself.
What the job usually involves
The steps are the same in New Orleans as anywhere; the local conditions above change how each one is done.
- Shut off and assess
- Replace damaged pipe
- Pressure test
- Freeze-proof
Burst and Frozen Pipe Repair questions from New Orleans
Should I drip my faucets in a New Orleans freeze?
Follow the Sewerage and Water Board's guidance at the time. It has asked for only a thin stream, and only while temperatures are below freezing, to protect water pressure citywide. Insulating pipes reduces the need.
How cold does it have to get for pipes under a raised house to freeze?
Exposed, uninsulated pipes are at risk when temperatures stay in the low to mid 20s Fahrenheit for several hours, sooner if it is windy.
Sources
- Water quality, advisories and service line information, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
- License verification, State Plumbing Board of Louisiana
- Lead service lines, US Environmental Protection Agency
Local information reviewed October 5, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm details with the agency before you rely on them.
More plumbing help in New Orleans
Burst and Frozen Pipe Repair in other cities
Ownership rules, soil, water and pipe materials make this a different job from one city to the next.
Related guides: How to Shut Off the Water to Your House, How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter, What to Do When a Pipe Bursts.
Need burst and frozen pipe repair in New Orleans?
Call (833) 520-4758. Same-day service is often available; call to check timing.