Licensed & insuredAvg. response 45 minutes★★★★★4.9 from 300+ local jobs
A burst pipe or sudden leak in Aptos can flood a living room in minutes. The older homes here in Seacliff and up through Watsonville were built with copper or galvanized lines that fail without warning, and the loose coastal soil doesn't always drain fast. When you've got water pouring from under the house or down a wall, you don't need a lecture about what's wrong yet. You need someone to turn off the water and keep your flooring, drywall, and belongings from soaking.
That's the first job. A plumber from Aptos Plumbing locates your main shut-off, kills the supply in under five minutes, then walks through with you to spot the source and size of the damage. We use a camera if we need to see into walls or crawlspaces. We won't guess. Once we know what broke, we tell you what's next: a simple repair, a repiping section, or a slab leak hunt. You approve the plan before any work starts.
Homeowners call us because water damage spreads faster than you'd think, and the first 30 minutes matter. We're on the road in Gilroy, Hollister, Santa Cruz, and across the service area within 45 minutes. We'll turn the water off, protect what's left to protect, and give you a real plan.
When to call us
Water pooling under the house or in the foundation
Water spraying from a pipe in the crawlspace or basement
Sudden drop in water pressure in one area of the home
Wet drywall, soft flooring, or musty smell in a room with no visible leak
Hissing or gurgling sounds under the house or inside walls
Emergency shut-off & damage control jobs we handle in Aptos
Locate and operate your main shut-off valve
Inspect the leak source and damage with eyes and camera
Document the break and water path
Map out repair or repiping options before we begin
Advise on water extraction and next steps
Not sure which one you need? Call and describe what's going on. We'll confirm the scope and give you a free, no-obligation quote before any work starts.
Common questions
How do I find my main water shut-off if I don't know where it is?
It's usually outside near the meter or in a box along the foundation. If the water is already off at the meter, you may need to use a valve inside the house or at the property line. Call us and describe what you're seeing. We can often walk you through finding it over the phone, or we'll do it when we arrive.
What if the shut-off valve is stuck or won't turn?
Stuck valves are common in older Aptos and Seacliff homes. We have the tools and experience to turn it safely without breaking it. If it won't budge, we can shut off the water at the meter if you own the system, or we'll isolate the section of pipe feeding the leak to buy you time until we can replace or repair the valve.
How long does damage control take?
Stopping the water usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. A full inspection with camera work to find a hidden leak can take another 30 to 60 minutes. Once you see the damage, we'll quote the actual repair. Most customers want the fix done the same day if it's a burst pipe or simple repiping section.
Will my water bill spike because of the leak?
Yes, usually. How much depends on where the break is and how long it ran before you noticed. If the leak is under the house (a slab leak), it can run for days before you spot it. Once we shut the water off and repair the line, your usage returns to normal. Some water companies offer leak adjustments if you can show when the repair was done.