When a pipe bursts in winter, shut off the main valve if you can reach it safely, keep out of standing water near outlets and appliances, and call (833) 490-5225. A split line often shows nothing while it is frozen and only shows as water at the thaw, so the damage is found by tracing it.
Key takeaways
- Shut the main valve first if you can reach it safely.
- Garages, crawl spaces, porches and farmhouse additions are where lines freeze.
- A split line can show nothing until the ice melts and the line runs again.
- Replacing a pipe or a water heater is plumber's work, and pipe and water heater replacement is for a plumber to decide.
What should I do in the first ten minutes of a burst pipe?
Shut the main valve, switch off electricity to the wet area only if the panel is dry, move what you can lift, and call.
Stay out of standing water near outlets, the furnace and any appliance. If the water is coming from the ceiling, do not stand under it.
Photograph the water and the damage before anything is moved.
Who fixes the pipe and who dries the house?
A plumber repairs or replaces the line. The water damage crew stops the spread, extracts the water and dries the framing.
The Wisconsin DSPS plumbing guidance states that plumbing work generally needs a DSPS licence, with exemptions for an owner-occupied primary residence and for minor repairs. Whether a particular water heater swap counts as a minor repair is for the plumber and the local inspector to decide.
Where the frozen section is outside the house, the water utility's operations staff are the right contact for the line on their side.
Frequently asked questions
The pipe froze but has not burst. Do I need to do anything?
Keep the area heated if you can, and let the faucet drip. Call a plumber to thaw the line safely. If you find water later, call (833) 490-5225.
How long before the water shows after a split line?
Often not until the ice melts and the line runs again. That is why a crew traces the line from the wet spot rather than assuming the break is where the water first shows.
Sources
- Wisconsin DSPS, plumbing frequently asked questions
- National Weather Service, Milwaukee/Sullivan climate and snowfall
This guide is general information for Jefferson County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.