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Burst and frozen pipe water damage in Detroit, MI
A pipe split in the cold or a supply line let go. Shut the water off at the main, then call. The water starts clean, so the faster it's pulled out, the more of the house can be dried instead of replaced.
Call the line
(313) 788-9835You'll talk to a Detroit-area restoration company. Say where the water is coming from.
Right now
Shut it off first
From the City of Detroit's frozen pipe guidance.
- Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve inside the house. Leave the faucets open.
- Don't use electrical appliances anywhere water is standing.
- Never thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame. A hair dryer, starting near the faucet, is the safe way.
- Photograph the pipe, the water and anything wet, then call.
How much water one crack lets out
City of Detroit guidance says an eighth-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, and that both plastic and copper pipes can burst. A pipe that froze in a wall can be leaking long before you see a stain, which is why ceiling stains often show up after a thaw.
Why speed matters on a burst pipe
Supply water is clean when it leaves the pipe. EPA says wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually don't grow mold. Past that point, wet drywall and carpet pad are where mold starts, and what could have been dried has to be torn out.
The crew pulls standing water, checks the walls and floor with moisture meters, and sets drying equipment. A plumber fixes the pipe itself.
Keeping pipes from freezing next winter
- Let warm water drip overnight, ideally from a faucet on an outside wall.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so house heat reaches the pipes.
- If you're away, keep the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.
- Find your main shut-off valve now and label it. Shut off and drain outdoor spigot lines in the fall.
Those are the City of Detroit's and DWSD's own winter tips.
Related
Questions people ask
My pipe is frozen but not broken. What do I do?
The City's guidance: turn off the main, leave the faucets on, and call a plumber. If you thaw it yourself, use a hair dryer and work from the faucet end toward the coldest section. Never a flame.
Does insurance cover a burst pipe?
Policies differ; a sudden burst is treated differently from flooding. Photograph everything and read the insurance guide before the adjuster comes.