Burst pipe in Coeur d'Alene: what to do

If a pipe bursts in Coeur d’Alene, shut off the main water supply right away, drain the lines by opening faucets, photograph the damage and call a plumber. Know where the main shutoff is before it is needed. Call the number to get a quote from a participating local contractor.

Steps, in order

1. Shut off the main water supply. Angi puts this first because as long as water stays on, it keeps leaking into the home (Angi). In colder climates the main shutoff is often in the basement near the front of the house (HUB International).
2. Check electricity. If water is near wiring, the panel or appliances, do not stand in water. Shut off the breaker only if it can be reached safely.
3. Drain the lines. Open faucets to relieve pressure and drain the pipes.
4. Photograph everything before cleanup, and contact the insurance company. Nationwide, quoted by CNBC, also puts turning off the main valve first (CNBC Select).
5. Call the number and describe where the pipe split and how long the water ran.

Why pipes burst in winter

When water in a pipe freezes, it expands and can split the pipe. The split often shows up after the thaw, when water starts flowing again. January in Coeur d’Alene averages a low around 21°F (published weather averages). See frozen pipes for prevention and thawing.

What to tell the contractor

1. Where the pipe split, and whether it is visible.
2. Whether the main is off and the water has stopped.
3. The pipe material, if known.
4. Whether anything electrical got wet.

After the repair

Why pipes burst

Freezing is the classic cause in the Coeur d’Alene area. Water expands as it freezes, and the pressure builds between the ice and a closed faucet, which is why the split often shows up downstream of the frozen spot. Old corroded pipe, high water pressure and a failed fitting also cause bursts.

Steps in order

1. Find and close the main shutoff valve. Know where it is before an emergency; the water meter box or the house entry point are the usual places.
2. Open the lowest and highest faucets to drain the lines.
3. If the water heater is affected, turn off its power or gas.
4. Photograph the damage and the source of the water.
5. Call the number. If the leak is near electrical outlets or the panel, stay away and say so on the call.

What the contractor looks for

The contractor finds the failed section, cuts it out and replaces it with new pipe and fittings, then restores pressure slowly and checks for further leaks. When one pipe has burst from freezing, others in the same area may be damaged, so a check of nearby runs is common.

Cleanup and prevention

After repair, the drying and cleanup are a separate job and usually go to a water damage contractor. To prevent a repeat, insulate pipes in exterior walls and crawl spaces and let faucets drip during hard freezes.

Sources

1. Angi: frozen pipes burst, what to do
2. HUB International: preventing frozen pipes
3. CNBC Select: does insurance cover burst pipes
4. Coeur d'Alene January weather averages
5. City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services FAQ

Common questions

What should be done first if a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water supply, drain the lines by opening faucets, photograph the damage and call a plumber.

What if the main shutoff valve is stuck?

Tell the contractor right away. Plumbers have the tools to shut off buried or stuck valves, and replacing the valve is a separate job.

Why do pipes burst after the thaw?

Frozen water expands and splits the pipe, but the split often shows only once the ice melts and water flows again.

Related pages

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