Burst pipe water damage: the short answer
Shut off the main water valve immediately, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines and keep away from wet electrical areas. Then two jobs need doing: a plumber repairs the pipe, and a restoration company removes the water and dries the walls, ceilings and floors it soaked. Call (413) 555-0147 to speak with a local restoration company about burst pipe damage in Westfield and nearby towns.
On this page
Does this cover your problem?
- a pipe split during a cold snap, often in an exterior wall, basement, crawl space or garage
- water started pouring once a frozen pipe thawed
- a supply line to a toilet, sink, dishwasher, refrigerator or washing machine burst
- water is coming through a ceiling below a bathroom or kitchen
- a pipe joint or fitting failed while you were away
For other sources of water damage, see our main page on water damage help in Westfield, Massachusetts.
The first 30 minutes
Every minute the water runs adds damage.
- Close the main water valve. It's usually where the water line enters the house, near the meter, often in the basement.
- Drain the lines. Open a faucet on the lowest floor so water left in the pipes has somewhere to go.
- Turn off the water heater if the house will be without water for long, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Stay clear of electricity. Keep away from wet outlets, fixtures and the panel.
- Photograph the pipe and the damage, then call a plumber and a restoration company.
The step-by-step version is in burst pipe: what to do in the first 30 minutes.
Why pipes burst in a Westfield winter
The average January low at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport is 12.9°F. When water freezes in a pipe, the ice itself usually isn't what splits it. Pressure builds in the water trapped between the ice blockage and a closed faucet, and the pipe often bursts in a section that never froze. That's why many burst pipes are discovered the day temperatures rise, when the ice melts and water flows through the split.
The pipes most at risk run through exterior walls, unheated basements and crawl spaces, garages, attics and cabinets on outside walls. Houses left empty or with the heat turned down are especially vulnerable.
Where the water goes
A burst supply line can release a lot of water in a short time, under pressure. It soaks the wall cavity around the pipe, runs along floor joists, comes through the ceiling below and spreads under flooring. Because supply water is clean at the start, burst pipe damage is often among the most restorable kinds if drying starts quickly. Drywall that isn't swollen, with seams intact, can sometimes be dried in place, in line with the EPA's guidance.
What happens during the visit
Coordinate with the plumber
The pipe has to be repaired, or at least capped, before drying makes sense.
Find all the wet areas
Moisture meters and thermal imaging trace water through walls, ceilings and subfloors.
Extract and open up
Standing water is removed, and wet insulation or ceiling sections may be opened so cavities can dry.
Dry and monitor
Air movers and dehumidifiers run, with daily readings, until materials are dry. See structural drying.
Repair
Drywall, ceilings and flooring are put back. See water damage repair.
Burst pipes and insurance
Damage from a sudden, accidental burst pipe is often covered by homeowners insurance, while a slow leak that went on for months often isn't. Some policies limit coverage for freezing damage if a home was left unoccupied without heat, so check your policy if you travel in winter. Document the pipe, the damage and every expense. Our water damage insurance guide covers the claim process.
How to keep pipes from freezing
- Keep the heat on. The American Red Cross recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 55°F if you'll be away.
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets before winter.
- Insulate pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages.
- On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors on outside walls and let a faucet drip.
- Keep garage doors closed if water lines run through the garage.
More in our Westfield frozen pipe guide.
Burst pipe help across the Westfield area
We take calls from all of Westfield and from Holyoke, whose many multi-family brick buildings mean one burst pipe can affect several units, West Springfield, Agawam, Southwick and Southampton. In the hill towns, where Blandford sits at about 1,453 feet and Montgomery at about 1,050, knowing where your main valve and any well pump breaker are matters even more.
What affects the cost
- how long the water ran and how many floors it reached
- ceilings and walls that need opening to dry
- flooring type, especially hardwood
- days of drying equipment
- the plumbing repair, which is usually billed separately by the plumber
See the cost guide for how estimates compare.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can you work alongside my plumber, or recommend one?
- Can the drywall and ceiling be dried in place, or do they need to come out?
- How will you dry inside the wall cavities?
- Will you provide moisture logs for my insurance claim?
- Are you a registered Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor?
What to have ready when you call
- your address or nearest cross street, and the town
- what happened and where: which floor, which room, the basement or the ceiling
- whether the water is still running and whether you've shut it off
- roughly when it started and how large the wet area is
- whether the water is clean (a supply line), from a drain or toilet, or came in from outside
- whether you own or rent, and whether you plan to file an insurance claim
- whether a plumber has already repaired or capped the pipe
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Close the main water valve, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines, keep away from wet electrical areas and take photos. Then call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration company for the water damage.
Why did my pipe burst when it warmed up?
Freezing builds pressure in the pipe, which can split it while it's still frozen. You often don't see the leak until the ice melts and water flows through the split.
Is burst pipe damage covered by insurance?
Sudden, accidental burst pipe damage is often covered, but slow leaks usually aren't, and some policies limit freezing damage in homes left without heat. Check your policy and document everything.
Can walls be saved after a burst pipe?
Often. Clean supply water and fast drying give the best chance. The EPA's guidance says drywall may be dried in place if there's no obvious swelling and the seams are intact.
How do I keep pipes from freezing when I'm away?
Keep the heat on, with the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees as the American Red Cross recommends, shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and insulate pipes in unheated spaces. For long trips, ask a plumber about shutting off and draining the system.