Frozen and burst pipes
Frozen & Burst Pipes in Columbus, OH
A pipe froze and split, a supply line burst or water is coming through the ceiling? Shut off the main water valve, then call to be connected with an independent restoration contractor in Columbus.
Two jobs: the pipe, then the water
A burst pipe needs a plumber to repair the pipe and a restoration contractor to deal with the water it released. Some restoration companies work with plumbers or have one on staff; ask when you call. Whatever happens, the first step is yours: find the main shut-off valve and close it.
Frozen pipes often burst out of sight, in an exterior wall, a crawl space, an unheated garage or above a ceiling, and the leak may only show when the pipe thaws. Water travels along joists and down inside walls, so the damage is often wider than the wet spot you can see.
Right after a pipe bursts
Shut off the water
Close the main valve, usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement near the meter.
Open a faucet
Opening a tap below the break lets the remaining water drain out of the pipes.
Mind the ceilings
A sagging, bulging ceiling can hold a lot of water. Stay out from under it.
Power near water
If water is reaching lights, outlets or the panel, keep clear and turn off power only from a dry spot.
Don't thaw with flame
If other pipes are still frozen, never use a torch or open flame. A hair dryer or warm towels are safer.
Photograph everything
Take pictures of the break, the water and wet belongings before cleanup starts.
In Columbus
If you can't shut the water off
Most Columbus-area homes with basements have the main shut-off where the water line enters through the foundation, near the meter. If you can't find it, it won't close, or water is coming up outside, call the water utility.
Columbus Water & Power supplies water to Columbus and to many suburbs. Dublin and Hilliard list the Columbus water emergency line, 614-645-7788, for after-hours water problems. Once the water is off, call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration contractor for the water.
How it works
From the call to a dry house
You call
Tell the person who answers what happened, where the water or smoke came from and your ZIP code.
You're connected
The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that serves your part of Columbus.
They assess
The contractor inspects, measures moisture, explains what needs removing and gives you their price.
You decide
Hire them or not. There is no obligation, and the agreement is between you and the contractor.
Questions
Frozen & Burst Pipes: common questions
How do I find my main water shut-off?
In most Columbus-area homes with basements it is where the water line comes through the foundation wall, near the water meter. In homes on a slab it may be in a utility closet, the garage or near the water heater. Find it before you need it.
Will the pipe burst again?
If it froze because it runs through a cold wall, crawl space or garage, it can freeze again. Ask the plumber about insulating or rerouting it, and keep cabinet doors open on very cold nights so warm air reaches pipes under sinks.
Do I call a plumber or a restoration company first?
Shut off the water first. Then call both: the plumber fixes the pipe, the restoration contractor removes the water and dries the house. Drying should start quickly, even if the pipe repair has to wait a day.
Other services
Other kinds of damage
- Water Damage RestorationLeaks, overflows and failed appliances: water out, structure dried, damaged materials replaced.
- Flooded Basement CleanupStorm water, a failed sump pump or seepage: water pumped out, contents moved, the basement dried.
- Sewage Backup CleanupSewage through a floor drain or toilet: contaminated materials removed, the area cleaned, sanitized and dried.
- Water Extraction & DryingPumps and extractors take up standing water; air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure, checked daily.
- Storm & Roof Leak DamageRain through the roof, ice dams or wind-driven water: ceilings, walls and insulation dried or replaced.
- Fire & Smoke DamageSoot, smoke odor and the water used to put the fire out: cleaned, deodorized, dried and rebuilt.
- Mold RemediationMold after a leak or flood: the moisture source fixed, the area contained, moldy materials removed.
Water, smoke or mold?
Talk to a Columbus restoration contractor
One call connects you with an independent restoration contractor serving Columbus and nearby suburbs. Tell them what happened, where the water came from and how long it has been wet.
Water in the house? Talk to a restoration contractor now.
You are connected with an independent water damage restoration contractor that serves your part of central Ohio.
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