Burst pipe in Knoxville? What to do and who to call
Knoxville freezes rarely enough that homes aren't ready for it — the December 2022 cold snap sent more than 1,000 frozen and broken pipe calls to KUB in a single week. Here's the local playbook.
If water is coming out right now
- Close your main shut-off valve — often in the crawlspace near where the line enters, in a utility closet, or near the water heater.
- Can't find it? Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) has said it will help customers locate their main shut-off. KUB's 24-hour line is 865-524-2911.
- Stay clear of water near outlets or the panel, and never go into a flooded crawlspace with the power on.
- Photograph everything, then call a plumber.
Knoxville at a glance
Sources: National Weather Service Morristown; Knox News; ACS profile for Knox County (2012–2016). Full list below.
What the December 2022 freeze taught Knoxville
Record December cold hit East Tennessee right before Christmas 2022. Between December 23 and 29, KUB responded to more than 1,000 calls about frozen or broken pipes, rolling power outages added to the problem, and local plumbers were so swamped that some customers waited hours for help.
The lesson: when a hard freeze is in the forecast, the best time to find your shut-off valve is before anything breaks — and when pipes do burst, every plumber in town is getting the same call, so it pays to act fast and keep water off until help arrives.
Homes most at risk are the ones with plumbing in crawlspaces, exterior walls or unheated garages. Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, open sink cabinets on outside walls, and let faucets on exposed pipes drip during a deep freeze.
Your side of the meter vs. KUB's
As KUB explained to Knox News in 2022, customers own the pipes from the water meter into the house; KUB is responsible on the utility side of the meter. KUB's smart meters can also flag a possible leak on the customer's side.
- Water in the street or at the meter: call KUB at 865-524-2911.
- Leak between the meter and the house, or inside: call a plumber — it's the homeowner's line.
- Sewage overflowing outside: KUB takes sewer overflow reports at the same 24-hour number.
What a burst pipe repair costs in Knoxville
| Job | Published Knoxville estimate |
|---|---|
| Burst pipe repair | $748–$2,991 |
| Water heater repair | $112–$561 |
| Water heater installation | $767–$1,917 |
Published estimates from Today's Homeowner's Knoxville plumbing page (updated Feb 2025), not quotes. Nationally, emergency plumbers often charge about 1.5–3× normal rates after hours (Angi). Estimate the cleanup side with the water damage cost calculator.
If water got into floors, walls or the crawlspace, see water damage cleanup in Knoxville.
Plumber licensing in Tennessee
Tennessee licenses contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance). Plumbing projects of $25,000 or more require a contractor license; smaller plumbing jobs fall under the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license. Ask for the license number and check it through the Board's license search on tn.gov.
Permits and inspections inside the city go through Knoxville's Plans Review and Inspections office (865-215-3669); Knox County Code Administration handles LLP affidavits (865-215-2325). Ask your plumber whether your job needs a permit and who pulls it.
Insurance and flooding in Knoxville
A sudden burst pipe is usually covered by a standard homeowners policy; slow leaks, sewer backups without an endorsement, and flood generally aren't — see our insurance guide. For help with a claim, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance's Consumer Insurance Services line is 1-800-342-4029.
Outside flooding is a separate policy. Knoxville's flood studies cover First Creek, Third Creek and the Tennessee River, and the city's floodplain management earned residents a 20% flood insurance rate discount. Knox County is updating its floodplain maps, so it's worth re-checking your address.
Areas we cover around Knoxville
Knoxville and nearby communities including Farragut, Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge, Powell, Karns, Halls, Lenoir City, Clinton, Seymour and Sevierville. Provider availability varies by ZIP code and time of day.
More for Knoxville homeowners
- What an emergency plumber costs in Knoxville
- Water damage restoration cost in Knoxville
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Tennessee?
- Frozen pipes: thaw them safely
Water still running, or already in the crawlspace?
Talk to an available Knoxville-area plumber or water cleanup crew.
Free referral service — you speak with the provider directly. Always confirm license and insurance.
Sources
- National Weather Service Morristown — Knoxville January climate; Oak Ridge Today — record cold in December 2022
- Knox News via Yahoo — Burst pipes: here's what to expect when you call (Dec 29, 2022)
- City of Knoxville — Utilities; flood insurance ranking; Knox County — floodplain map update; LLP affidavits
- Tennessee Dept. of Commerce & Insurance — Board for Licensing Contractors; Who needs an LLP license; Consumer resources
- Costs — Today's Homeowner Knoxville (Feb 2025); Angi emergency plumber cost
- Housing — Knox County ACS profile; freeze prevention — IBHS