Service
Burst and frozen pipes in Gastonia, NC
A pipe that splits in a crawl space or attic can run for hours before anyone hears it. Close the shutoff valve first, then call to reach an independent contractor.
Tap the number to call. The line connects you with an independent restoration contractor, not with this website.
First moves at a burst pipe
Close the water
Shut the main valve at the house. If you cannot find it or reach it, the city's number for leaks is listed below.
Cut power where water is falling
If water is near outlets, a ceiling fixture or the panel, leave that area and keep everyone out of it.
Open the faucets after repair
Draining the lines relieves pressure. Do this once the plumber says the break is fixed.
Photograph before you move anything
Pictures and receipts matter later. See documenting the damage.
Where the city's responsibility stops
Two Rivers Utilities says it maintains water lines up to the customer's meter. Anything past the meter is the homeowner's. The city lists one number for reporting leaks and sewer problems; see its report-problems page.
Gastonia also publishes a leak adjustment request for water that ran through the meter without being used. The page says one adjustment is allowed in a 36-month period and asks for details of the leak and a bill or receipt for repair materials.
Why the damage surprises people
A pipe may freeze overnight and split without showing a drop. When the temperature climbs, the ice melts and water pours from the crack. The City of Salisbury, North Carolina, warns that pipes frozen by low temperatures begin to leak as they thaw.
Supply lines that run through crawl spaces and attics are places nobody looks. A running line under the floor can soak insulation and wood for days.
Cold-weather habits the city of Salisbury recommends
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces such as a crawl space, attic or basement.
- Leave cabinet doors open so warm air reaches pipes on exterior walls.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and close and drain outdoor spigots.
- Let cold water drip from a faucet when temperatures fall below freezing.
These are general tips from a nearby North Carolina city, not a promise that a pipe will not freeze.
Questions people ask
Who repairs the pipe?
A licensed plumber repairs the line. A restoration contractor handles the water damage the pipe caused. They are separate trades.
Is a burst pipe covered by insurance?
Sudden bursts are often treated differently from slow leaks, and your policy decides. Insurance basics explains the general pattern.
Water is still spreading while you read
Call the number and describe what happened. The line routes your call to an independent restoration contractor who serves your ZIP code. Early calls leave more of the home dry.