Burst Pipe and Water Damage FAQ

Shut the main water valve, turn off power to wet areas, open a low faucet to drain the lines, move valuables, take photos, then call us. Full steps are on what to do when a pipe bursts.

Usually in the basement where the water line comes through the front wall, next to the meter. In some three-deckers it is in a shared basement. See how to shut off the main valve.

Old gate valves often stick. Do not force it until it breaks. Call us, and if water is pouring, ask the city water department to shut it at the street.

Yes. That is the reason to call us. The plumbing repair and the drying happen on the same job, so you are not waiting on a second company while the walls soak.

Ice blocks the pipe and pressure splits it, but water only flows out when the ice melts. That is why bursts show up one to three days after a deep freeze.

Open the faucet, warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater kept clear of anything that can burn, and never use a torch. If you cannot find the frozen spot, call us. See how to thaw frozen pipes.

Wet materials can start growing mold within 24 to 48 hours, which is why drying should start the day the pipe is fixed.

Fans dry the surface. Water inside walls, under floors and in plaster needs dehumidifiers, air movers and moisture readings. See can fans dry water damage.

Usually the sudden water damage is covered. Freezing damage can be excluded if the home was not heated or was vacant. Check your policy and read burst pipe insurance in Massachusetts.

In Massachusetts the landlord must supply heat and keep plumbing working, so a building-caused burst is usually the landlord's to fix. Your renters policy covers your belongings. See who pays in rentals and condos.

It depends on how much is wet, whether it is clean water or sewage, and what the walls and floors are made of. You get the price before work starts. See what changes the price.