Frozen Pipe Repair & Thawing
Thaw an iced-up line safely, inspect it for splits and reroute or insulate the run that keeps freezing.
Plumbing service
Emergency Burst Pipe Repair in Westminster, CO
Water is spraying, pouring through a ceiling or soaking a basement wall. The first job is to stop it, and the second is to repair the pipe and decide what has to be dried.
If you can get to the main without standing in water, shut it first and then call.
Do this in the first minutes
- Close the main valveRotate it clockwise at the meter pit or at the point where the line enters the house.
- Keep clear of electricityDo not step into standing water near outlets or the panel.
- Drain from the lowest tapLetting the lines empty releases pressure and slows leaks upstream.
Stop the flow first
The main valve is usually in the basement or utility room where the line enters, or in the meter box near the street. If a valve is stuck, do not force it with a pipe wrench or you may snap the stem.
Once the water is off, open a faucet at the lowest point and one upstairs to drain the lines. Switch off the water heater at the breaker or the gas control so the tank is not heated while empty.
What the repair involves
The plumber finds the split, cuts out the damaged section and joins new pipe with the right fitting for the material. Copper is soldered or pressed, PEX uses crimp or expansion fittings and CPVC and PVC are solvent-welded.
A pipe that split from a freeze is often only one of several weak spots. Ask the contractor to check the rest of the run, since a second split can open as soon as the water is back on.
Cost
What sets the bill for a burst pipe
Emergency repairs vary a lot because the damage is different every time. These items set the price.
Ask for the quote before work begins, and ask what it covers, including the opening and the patch.
In Westminster
Finished basements raise the stakes
Many local homes have finished lower levels. A burst pipe in the ceiling above can soak carpet, drywall and electronics fast, and the water runs to the lowest point in the house.
A floor drain or a sump system in the basement helps, but it will not keep up with a full-bore supply break. Shut the water off first.
Why pipes burst
Freezing is the most common cause in Colorado. Water expands as it turns to ice, and the pressure bursts the pipe, usually at the spot where the ice plug formed.
Other causes include corrosion, high water pressure, a failed fitting and age. If the same house has had more than one leak, repiping is worth pricing.
After the repair
The pipe is only half the job when water reached floors, walls or insulation. Wet drywall and carpet pad start growing mold quickly, so drying should begin within a day or two.
Take photos before anything is moved. Keep receipts for the repair and any emergency drying, because your insurer will ask.
Before the plumber arrives
What to write down
These notes help the contractor and your insurer.
After the fix
Water Damage Restoration
Dry and rebuild a home after a pipe leak, a frozen-pipe burst or a sewer backup.
Repiping & Whole-Home Pipe Replacement
Swap out aging galvanized, polybutylene or pitted copper supply pipe across an entire house.
Common questions
Answers about burst pipe
Shut off the main water valve, keep away from water near electricity and call. Run the lowest faucet in the house to empty the lines.
Call a plumber to stop and repair the leak, then a restoration company to dry the structure. Water damage restoration has its own phone line on this site.
Many policies cover the sudden water damage, though some exclude the pipe itself. Take photos, keep the damaged section if you can and report the claim quickly.
Mold can begin to grow within a day or two on wet drywall and carpet pad. Quick drying is the best protection.
Pipe burst right now?
Close the main valve, stay out of water near electrical outlets and then call. The dispatcher will line up a local contractor.