Yes, a burst pipe is an emergency. It keeps pouring water at full house pressure until the main valve is shut, and wet walls, floors and ceilings can start growing mold within 24 to 48 hours. Shut the main now, then call (413) 603-1274.
Why it cannot wait until Monday
- Volume: a burst supply pipe can pour out many gallons a minute, enough to flood a basement or soak the floors below in an hour
- Spread: water travels through walls and ceiling cavities into rooms and units you cannot see
- Electrical danger: water reaching outlets, lights or the panel is a shock and fire risk
- Mold: wet drywall, wood and carpet pad start to grow mold within a day or two
- Insurance: policies expect you to act fast to limit damage
What is and is not an emergency
- Emergency: water spraying or pouring, water coming through a ceiling, a flooded basement, water near electrical, no way to shut the water off
- Urgent, same day: a burst that is now shut off but left walls and floors wet, frozen pipes with no water
- Soon, not tonight: a slow drip under a sink with the valve closed, an old stain that is dry
Even when the water is off, drying should start the same day. Shutting the valve stops new water, but it does nothing about the water already in the walls.
What to do first
Shut the main, cut power to wet areas, open a low faucet, move belongings and photograph everything. Full steps: what to do when a pipe bursts.
How fast the damage grows
| Time after the burst | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Minutes | Water spreads across floors, into carpet and under walls and cabinets |
| First hours | Drywall and plaster wick water up, ceilings below start to stain and sag, wood floors begin to swell |
| 24 to 48 hours | Mold can start on wet materials, odors begin, particleboard swells for good |
| Days | Hardwood cups, paint peels, metal rusts, mold spreads inside walls |
The water itself is only the first problem. The time it sits is what turns a repair into a renovation.
Our hours
We are open every day, 8 AM to 7 PM. If a pipe bursts outside those hours, shut the main valve, turn off power to wet areas, open a low faucet to drain the lines, take photos, and call us when we open. With the water off, the damage stops growing much while you wait.
Call your insurer the same day
Even when the water is off and the damage looks small, report it to your insurance company the day it happens. Policies expect prompt notice, and early photos carry weight. See documenting water damage for insurance.
Emergency questions
Should I call 911 for a burst pipe?
Call 911 if water is near the electrical panel or live wiring, if a ceiling is collapsing, or if anyone is hurt. Otherwise, shut the water and call us.
Will I know the price before work starts?
Yes. You hear the price before work starts. See water damage cleanup cost.
The water is off. Can drying wait?
Not for long. Start within a day to avoid mold and swelling. See emergency water extraction.
Burst pipe now? Call
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee: we fix the pipe and dry the house in one call.