A burst pipe in a Colton home means closing the main shutoff, staying away from wet electrical items, and replacing the broken pipe. The City of Colton's water utility handles breaks on its side and has an after-hours number. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Colton.
Colton runs its own water and wastewater utilities, and its drinking water comes mostly from local groundwater pumped from City wells. About half its homes were built before 1980, with a median year built of 1979 per Point2Homes, so from older blocks off La Cadena Drive to Cooley Ranch, aging copper and galvanized supply lines are part of the picture. The 1980s added a large share of homes too, and those tend to fail at connectors, fittings and water heater lines instead.
Do this first
- Close the main valve. It is often near the front hose bib or where the line enters the house or garage.
- Keep away from power. Don't touch outlets or appliances sitting in water. Shut the breaker only from a dry spot.
- Open a low faucet to drain pressure from the lines.
- Call the City for street-side leaks. If water is coming up at the meter or the street, call Colton's after-hours line at (909) 370-5000. Customer service is (909) 370-5555.
- Deal with the water heater. If the water will be off for long, set a gas unit to pilot or vacation, or turn off an electric one.
- Photograph everything and keep the failed piece of pipe.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Rusty water followed by a gush from a wall | Corroded galvanized pipe that finally split |
| Spray at a sink or toilet | Failed supply line or angle stop |
| Water heater area flooding | Bad connector or fitting at the tank |
| Stain spreading across a ceiling | Leaking pipe or joint above |
| Wet yard between meter and house | Break in the buried service line |
Colton's water is hard. The City's 2025 report lists its Colton/Rialto sources at an average of about 207 mg/L total hardness. Scale buildup can make an old main valve hard to close, so check that yours turns.
Cost factors
- How much wall, ceiling or floor has to be opened
- Pipe type, since galvanized usually means replacing a longer run with transition fittings
- Underground work on the yard line
- Permits. The City of Colton Building & Safety Division requires a permit to replace water lines
- After-hours timing
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Colton
Water is bubbling up near the street or the meter box. Who do I call?
Does a burst pipe repair need a permit?
Are older homes here more likely to have a pipe burst?
Is it safe to use lights and outlets after a pipe bursts?
More plumbing services in Colton
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
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