What To Do If A Pipe Bursts

A burst pipe can release a lot of water in a short time, and in Pottsville it often happens in the basement during a cold snap, where it can soak stored belongings and reach the water heater, furnace or electrical panel. What you do in the first few minutes decides how much damage it causes. This guide from our team walks through the steps, then explains why pipes burst in Pottsville and how to prevent it. Keep (570) 990-3931 handy so you can reach our team when you need emergency plumbing in Pottsville.

Step by step instructions to limit the damage

1. Close the main water shut-off. In most older Pottsville homes it is in the basement where the water line enters the house, often near the meter.
2. If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, stay out of the water and shut off power at the breaker only if you can reach it safely and dry.
3. If the water heater is involved, turn off its power or set the gas valve to off.
4. Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the remaining water from the pipes.
5. Mop up, move belongings to a dry place, and run fans.
6. Take photos of the damage for your insurance company.
7. Call (570) 990-3931.

We will ensure that your burst pipe repair in Pottsville is handled by professionals.

Why pipes burst in Pottsville

January in Pottsville averages about 27 degrees, and cold snaps go lower. Water expands as it freezes, pressure builds in the pipe, and it splits, usually along exterior walls, in unheated basements, crawl spaces and porches, or at outdoor hose bibs. Pottsville's housing is old, with close to six in ten homes built before 1940, and older homes often have less insulation around pipes and galvanized or copper lines that corrosion has already thinned. Our team is fully committed to reliable frozen pipe repair in Pottsville.

Before the next freeze

• Insulate pipes along outside walls, in crawl spaces and in unheated areas.
• Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets in the fall.
• Seal drafts near pipes where cold air gets into the basement.
• Keep the heat on, even when you travel, and open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls during hard freezes.
• Let a faucet on an outside wall drip slightly on the coldest nights.
• Know where your main shut-off is and make sure it turns. Our guide How To Find Your Water Shut-Off shows where to look.

When you need help preparing for winter, our team is ready to help with plumbing in Pottsville.

After the water is off

Once the main is closed, the pipe still needs a proper repair. Our plumbers cut out the damaged section, replace it, check nearby pipe for other splits, and pressure-test the line before the water goes back on. If a run of old pipe keeps failing, we will explain whether a partial repipe is the better answer. We are committed to making burst pipe repair in Pottsville simple and reliable.