Short answer
Shut off the main water valve immediately, then open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the pipes. Turn off electricity to wet areas only if you can reach the breaker from a dry spot. Move belongings, photograph the damage for insurance and call a plumber.
The first 10 minutes
- Close the main shutoff valve (crawl space, garage, utility closet or where the line enters)
- Open a low faucet and flush toilets to drain remaining pressure
- Turn off the water heater (power or gas) if the house will be without water for long
- Switch off breakers to wet rooms only from a dry location
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the water
Can't find or close the main?
Every home also has a curb valve in the meter box near the street. It usually needs a meter key. If water is pouring and you can't stop it, call the plumber and the water utility. In Gastonia, the city's after-hours water and sewer line is 704-866-6843.
Why pipes burst in the Carolinas
Pipes in vented crawl spaces, exterior walls and garages are exposed during cold snaps. Water freezes, expands and splits the pipe. The leak often appears only after the thaw, so check under the house on the first warm morning after a hard freeze.
What to tell the plumber
- Where the water is coming from, if you can see it
- Whether the main is off
- Pipe material, if visible (copper, white/cream plastic, colored PEX, gray plastic)
- Whether water reached electrical outlets or the panel
After the water is off: limiting damage
Drywall and wood that stay wet for more than a day or two can start to grow mold. If water soaked into walls or ceilings, a water damage restoration company can measure moisture and dry the structure properly.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure and remaining water from the lines
- Switch off breakers for any wet area, but only from a dry spot
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the water; lift what you can't move onto blocks or foil
- Mop and wet-vac standing water, then run fans and a dehumidifier
- Photograph everything before cleanup for your insurance claim
- Pull back wet carpet pads; they hold water against the subfloor
Insurance and documentation
Most homeowners policies cover sudden pipe bursts but not slow leaks or damage from lack of maintenance. Call your insurer early, keep receipts for emergency repairs and drying equipment, and ask the plumber for a written note describing the cause, such as a freeze split or a failed fitting. That note often answers the adjuster's first question.
When to call a plumber
If the steps above don't solve it, or anything involves sewage, gas, electricity near water or a leak you can't stop, call a licensed plumber. Related help: burst pipe repair in Gastonia, emergency plumbing in Gastonia.
Where this comes up most in Gaston County: Willow Creek, Loray Mill Village, Highland, Belmont, NC, Cramerton, NC, McAdenville, NC, Ranlo, NC, Bessemer City, NC. See all Gastonia and Gaston County service areas.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off the water heater when a pipe bursts?
If the main water is off for more than a short time, yes. Turn off the power (electric) or set the gas valve to pilot or off to avoid heating a tank that's not being refilled.
Does insurance cover burst pipes?
Many policies cover sudden water damage but not the repair of the pipe itself, and may exclude damage from neglect. Photos taken before cleanup help a claim.
Editorial note: this guide gives general safety and maintenance information for homeowners. It doesn't replace an on-site diagnosis by a licensed plumber. Codes and permit rules can change; check with your local inspections office.