A burst pipe can release dozens of gallons a minute, so the first minutes matter more than anything else. Find the main water shutoff, usually where the service enters the basement near the meter, and turn it clockwise until it stops. Then open a faucet on the lowest level to drain the lines, and switch off power to any wet area. Our 24/7 dispatch line is answered every day, and a plumber can often arrive the same day.
Burst pipe repair replaces the failed section, checks the rest of the run for similar damage and restores water service. It often connects with leak detection when the break is hidden, and with repiping when the pipe is too worn to patch.
Do these first.
When a burst pipe is an emergency.
Shut the main valve.
Turn it clockwise. If it will not move, call right away and tell the dispatcher so a plumber can bring the right tools.
.Kill power in wet areas.
If water is near outlets, a panel or appliances, switch off the circuit at the breaker. Do not stand in water to do it.
.Drain the lines.
Open a lower faucet and flush an upper toilet to relieve pressure and drain the pipes.
.Photograph the damage.
Take photos and video of the pipe and wet areas before cleanup, for insurance.
.
If you smell gas or hear hissing.
Leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 first. A burst water pipe can be repaired later, a gas leak cannot wait.
Pipe burst and water running?.
Shut the main valve, then call the 24/7 line.
Local causes.
Why pipes burst in Salem.
Cold is the main cause. Water freezes and expands in the pipe, and the pipe usually splits where the ice has built pressure, not where the ice sits. Salem winters bring multi-day cold snaps, and pipes in exterior walls, unheated basements, garages and crawlspaces are the usual victims. Massachusetts building code sets footing frost depth at 48 inches, which gives a sense of how deep cold can reach.
Not every burst comes from frost. Old galvanized pipe can corrode through and rupture at a joint. High water pressure, a failed pressure reducing valve or a water hammer shock can split a weakened line. Older homes around the Chestnut Street district and the North River side often have pipe added at different decades, and the joints between materials are weak points.
After a cold snap, thawing matters as much as the freeze. A split may stay closed while ice holds it, then flood the room when the pipe warms. If you find a frozen pipe that has not yet burst, leave a faucet slightly open and call, rather than using an open flame. Heat from a hair dryer on a pipe is safer, but only if the pipe has not split.
Repair options.
How burst pipes get repaired.
| Pipe | Typical fix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copper. | Cut out the split, sweat in a new section or use push fittings. | Check nearby sections, they may have thinned in the same freeze. |
| PEX. | Cut and install a repair coupling. | PEX tolerates freezing better, but fittings can still crack. |
| Galvanized steel. | Replace the section with copper or PEX. | A burst here often means the rest of the run is close to failing. |
| Cast iron or plastic drain. | Cut and replace the damaged section. | Drain bursts after a freeze are rare but happen in unheated spaces. |
If the pipe that failed is one of several aging runs, a spot fix may only delay the next burst. A plumber can show you the pipe's condition and explain when a wider repipe is the better value. If the break was a hidden one inside a wall, water line repair is the right page for a buried service line.
Aftercare.
After the pipe is fixed: drying and next steps.
Stopping the water is the first half of the job. Wet insulation, drywall and framing can hold moisture for days, and mold can start within a couple of days in a closed cavity. Open the wet area as soon as the plumber says it is safe, run fans, and use a dehumidifier. Remove sodden carpet and padding quickly.
If water reached a ceiling, expect to open it. A bulging ceiling can release a large amount of water at once, so stay clear and puncture it only with a plumber or contractor present, with a bucket ready. Check the electrical panel and any outlets that got wet before you restore power to that area.
Prevention.
Preventing the next freeze.
- Insulate pipes in garages, crawlspaces, exterior walls and attics with foam sleeves, and seal drafts near them.
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor spigots from inside before the first hard freeze.
- On the coldest nights, open the cabinet doors under kitchen and bath sinks on exterior walls.
- Keep the heat set no lower than the mid 50s Fahrenheit if you travel in winter.
- Know where the main valve is and make sure it turns.
A boiler that fails during a cold snap is one of the fastest routes to a frozen pipe. If your heat goes out, call about boiler repair right away, not after the pipes freeze.
Next steps.
After the water is off.
Once the water is shut off, open a cold tap at the lowest point of the house to drain the lines, and turn off the water heater or its power so the element does not run dry. Photograph the damage before you move anything, then call your insurer. Do not use electrical outlets in a wet room, and keep children and pets out of the area. A plumber will cut out the damaged section, replace it with new pipe and fittings, restore pressure slowly to avoid a water hammer, and check nearby joints that took the same stress.
If the pipe froze, ask the plumber to look at the wall or ceiling where it ran. Pipes on exterior walls and in unheated spaces tend to fail again unless the cause, such as missing insulation or a cold air leak, is fixed.
Standards.
Code, permits and safety for burst pipe repair.
Pipe repairs and replacements follow 248 CMR 10.00, the Massachusetts plumbing code. A permit and inspection may apply to larger repairs, so confirm with Salem Inspectional Services at 978-619-5641.
What to do before we arrive.
- Close the main water valve, usually near the meter, if water is flowing.
- Switch off power to wet areas only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Photograph the damage before you move things, and call your insurer.
Pricing.
What burst pipe repair costs.
A burst pipe repair is priced to the pipe, the access and the time. These are the factors that change the total.
Many homeowner policies cover sudden burst pipe damage, though they often exclude damage from neglect or from a home left unheated. Call your insurer and keep photos. You get a clear price before work starts. For your real number, call (339) 216-9771.
FAQs.
Burst pipe questions from Salem homeowners.
Yes. The line is answered 24 hours a day, every day, and burst pipes are dispatched first. Shut the main water valve and call.
Usually in the basement or a utility room on the wall where the water line enters the house, near the meter. A round wheel handle or a lever turns it off. Find it before you need it.
Only if the pipe has not split. Use a hair dryer or warm towels, never a flame. If you see a crack or water, shut the main and call.
Many policies cover sudden burst damage but not neglect. Photograph everything and call your insurer before major cleanup.
Insulate pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces, seal drafts, and leave cabinet doors under sinks open on very cold nights. A faucet left to drip can help on exterior-wall lines.
All of Salem, including Downtown, Salem Neck, North and South Salem, Salem Willows and the Highland Avenue area, in ZIP codes 01970 and 01971, and nearby Beverly.