Burst pipe water damage
Burst Pipe in Your House? What to Do and Who to Call
Shut the main water valve first. Then call Onyx: we extract the water, find out how far it went behind the walls and under the floor, and dry the structure before mold starts.
- IICRC certified
- 24/7 emergency response
- Insured
- 17 years in restoration
- Free estimates
- Works with your insurance
A burst pipe is an emergency. A half-inch line can put out hundreds of gallons an hour, and the water keeps moving into drywall, insulation and the ceiling below long after the pipe is fixed.
In Philadelphia most bursts happen in winter, when pipes freeze in exterior walls, unheated additions, crawl spaces and rowhome basements. The pipe often splits while frozen and only leaks when it thaws, so the damage shows up a day later.
What to do right now
- Shut off the main water valve. In most Philadelphia rowhomes it is in the basement, near the front wall where the line comes in
- Turn off power to any wet area if you can reach the panel safely
- Open faucets to drain the lines and take pressure off
- Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the water
- Take photos and video before cleanup; your insurer will want them
- Call a plumber to repair the pipe and a restoration company to handle the water
Who to call when a pipe bursts
A plumber fixes the pipe. A water damage restoration company deals with the water that already got out: extraction, measuring what is wet behind walls and under floors, drying, and rebuilding. Both are usually needed, and the drying should start the same day to stay ahead of mold.
Onyx answers 24/7 at (267) 353-7953 and can tell you on the phone what to do until the crew arrives.
Frozen pipes: why they burst and where
Water expands as it freezes and builds pressure between the ice and a closed faucet until the pipe splits. The usual spots are pipes in exterior walls, under kitchen sinks on outside walls, in unheated back additions and crawl spaces, and hose bibs.
- Keep heat at 55 degrees or higher, even when away
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls during a freeze
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut interior valves to outside spigots
How Onyx handles burst pipe water damage
- Water extraction from floors, carpet and the ceiling cavity below
- Moisture mapping with meters and thermal imaging to find every wet area
- Removal of saturated drywall, insulation and flooring that cannot dry in place
- Structural drying until readings reach dry standard
- Photos, readings and a written scope for your insurance claim
- Rebuild of ceilings, walls and floors after drying is verified
Burst pipes and insurance
Sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe is usually covered by homeowner policies; the pipe repair itself often is not, and damage from a slow leak or from leaving a home unheated can be excluded. Coverage is your insurer's decision. Document everything before it is thrown out.
How it goes
What happens after you call.
Shut the main and call
We walk you through the shutoff and what to move while the crew heads out.
Extract
Standing water comes out of floors, carpet and the ceiling below.
Map the moisture
Meters and thermal imaging show how far the water went.
Dry
Air movers and dehumidifiers run until the numbers say dry.
Rebuild
Ceilings, walls and floors are put back by the same crew.
Google reviews
What customers say
5.0 from 7 Google reviews · Verified
★★★★★
Used Onyx to clean out mother in laws house after she passed. This was by [no] means a simple clear out. They did an absolutely amazing job! Job was finished when promised. I can’t say enough good things about the owner Jose and his team. Would definitely recommend this company.
★★★★★
Great experience with this mitigation company! Professional, reliable, and got the job done quickly. The team was friendly, respectful, and kept everything handled from start to finish. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Overall, great experience with Onyx. I’ve used Jose as a lead on multiple multi-housing projects and have always found his pricing to be competitive. He gets the job done, is honest and trustworthy and knows how to lead a team. 10/10!
FAQ
Questions we get on this work
Is a burst pipe an emergency?
Yes. Shut the main water valve immediately, then call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration company for the water. The longer water sits, the more it spreads into walls and the higher the mold risk.
What do I do if a pipe bursts in my house?
Shut off the main water valve, cut power to wet areas if it is safe, open faucets to drain the lines, move valuables out of the water and take photos. Then call Onyx 24/7 at (267) 353-7953.
Who do I call when a pipe bursts?
A plumber to repair the pipe and a water damage restoration company to extract the water and dry the structure. Onyx handles the water, drying and rebuild.
Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes that burst?
Usually, if the damage was sudden and the home was kept heated. Damage from a slow leak or an unheated vacant home can be excluded. Your insurer decides; Onyx provides the documentation.
How much does it cost to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
It depends on how much water got out, how long it sat and what materials are wet. We give a free written estimate after measuring the damage.
Next step
Pipe burst? Shut the main, then call Onyx.
24/7 water extraction, drying and repair in Philadelphia.
Call (267) 353-7953Not an emergency? Request a callback online and Onyx will call to confirm a time.