If a pipe has burst, close the main water shutoff right now, open a faucet at the lowest level to drain the lines, and call our 24/7 line at (855) 575-2890. Keep people and pets out of any room where water is near outlets, appliances or a panel.
Burst pipe repair means stopping the flow, cutting out the failed section of pipe, and replacing it with sound pipe and fittings that hold full pressure. It covers cracked copper, split supply lines, frozen pipes and broken drain lines.
We answer these calls at night and on weekends. A pipe that lets go at 3 a.m. can put a lot of water into a ceiling or a basement before morning, so dispatch does not wait for business hours. Permit-required work follows the Ohio Plumbing Code, which was updated effective March 1, 2024.
The first ten minutes after a pipe bursts
Do these in order. Each one reduces the water that reaches your home.
Close the main
Turn the main shutoff clockwise. It is often near where the water line enters the house, at the water meter or in the basement. A round handle turns several times. A lever closes with a quarter turn.
Drain the lines
Open the lowest faucet in the house, then a couple of upstairs taps. This relieves pressure and lets the pipe empty.
Mind the electricity
If water is reaching outlets, light fixtures or the electrical panel, stay out of the area and call. Do not stand in water to reach a breaker.
Protect and photograph
Lift belongings off wet floors, put towels or buckets down, and take photos of the damage before you clean up.
Cracked and broken pipes: how we repair them
A crack or split rarely happens for one reason alone. Age, corrosion, freezing, a loose support or a pressure spike can each start the failure. We cut the pipe back to sound material, then rejoin it with new pipe and fittings, so you do not have a patch that fails again.
A clamp or compression fitting can sometimes hold a pinhole for a short time. We use those as a bridge to get water back on, not as a long-term answer, and we tell you which one you are getting.
If more than one section has failed, we say so before cutting further. A run of pipe that has split in two places may be telling us the whole line is near the end of its life.
Pipe repair by type of failure
Leaking pipe joint or pinhole
A weeping joint or a tiny spray in a supply pipe is a leak in its early stage. Left alone, it often grows. We repair the joint or section and test under pressure.
Drain pipe repair
Drain lines fail by cracking or separating at a joint, often showing as damp floors, stains or a smell. Repair means opening the wall or floor and replacing the failed length.
Copper pipe repair
Copper can pit, split from freezing or leak at a soldered joint. We cut out the damaged copper and install new pipe, usually with sweated fittings or approved push connections.
Burst pipe in the wall or ceiling
Water stains, a bulging ceiling or a dripping light fixture can point to a failed line above. Stay out of the room, turn off the main, and call. We open the area as needed.
Close the main, drain the lines and call. Someone answers at any hour.
Leak repair that has not yet become a burst
Not every pipe failure is dramatic. A water meter that keeps moving with everything off, a damp patch on a floor, a musty smell or a bill that jumps without explanation all suggest a leak that has not burst yet.
Catching it early is much cheaper than waiting. A small leak can soak a wall cavity for weeks. If you suspect one but cannot find it, our leak detection service pinpoints the spot before we open anything up.
Once the location is known, the repair is the same idea: cut out the bad section, replace it, pressure test it and confirm the meter stops. We also look at nearby pipe of the same age, since one failure is often a sign of others.
Frozen pipes and Sidney winters
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the Sidney station put the January average low at 17.9 F. That is well below freezing for weeks, so pipes in unheated spaces, such as an exterior wall, a crawl space, a garage or a rarely used basement corner, are the usual trouble spots.
Practical steps: keep heat on in every part of the house, open cabinet doors on exterior walls during a cold snap, and let a faucet drip when the forecast is bitter. If a pipe has frozen and has not burst, shut the main first, because the pipe can split as it thaws.
Thaw only with gentle warmth, such as a hair dryer or warm towels, working from the faucet end back. Never use an open flame, torch or heater that can start a fire. If you cannot find the frozen section, or water starts to leak, call us.
What to do by type of pipe problem
Use this table to decide how urgently to act. When in doubt, shut the water off and call.
| What you see | What it probably is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water spraying or pouring | Burst or split supply pipe | Close the main and call right away |
| Faucets give nothing in freezing weather | Frozen pipe, possibly cracked | Shut the main, thaw gently, check for leaks |
| Wet ceiling or bulging drywall | Leak above, maybe a failed line | Close the main, stay out, call |
| Damp floor or a foul smell from a drain line | Cracked or separated drain pipe | Stop using the fixture and call |
| Green crust on copper | Corroded pipe or joint | Book a repair before it fails |
| Meter moves with all fixtures off | Hidden leak | Call for leak detection |
A visit is the only way to confirm the cause for certain.
Where your responsibility starts and ends
In Sidney, the property owner is responsible for the service line from the meter pit, or curb stop valve, into the building. The City handles the main out to the meter pit. If your leak is between the pit and the house, it is on your side of the line.
That matters because a break there may show up as a soggy yard or a drop in pressure, not a spray inside. Our water service line repair covers that run, and Ohio law requires notice through 811 before digging, with two working days of notice.
What shapes the price of a burst pipe repair
A clear price is given before work starts. We do not guess from a phone call, since pipe type, access and damage all change the job.
Insurers often treat sudden burst damage differently from slow seepage. Photograph everything before you clean up, keep damaged items if you can, and call your insurer to ask what applies to your policy.
After the repair
Dry the area quickly. Fans, open windows and a dehumidifier help, and wet insulation or drywall should be checked. Mold can start within a few days in wet material.
If a repair leaves a drain slow, our drain cleaning service can clear it. Let us know if you notice odd pressure changes after the repair. Pipes of the same age can fail soon after one is replaced, and we would rather check than leave you guessing. We serve Sidney and nearby towns such as Botkins.
Common questions
Do you handle burst pipe repair emergencies at night or on weekends in Sidney?
Yes. Our line is open 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. If water is flowing, we dispatch right away. Shut the main and open a low faucet while you wait.
Where is my main water shutoff?
It is usually where the water line enters the house, often near the water meter, in a basement or a utility area. Find it now, before you need it, and check that it turns.
Is it safe to turn on lights or touch a breaker if the pipe burst?
Not if water is near outlets, fixtures or the panel. Stay out of the area and call. Do not stand in water to reach a breaker.
How do I thaw a frozen pipe safely?
Shut the main first, open the faucet, then apply gentle warmth with a hair dryer or warm towels. Never use an open flame. If the pipe is already leaking or you cannot find the freeze, call us.
Who repairs a broken water line between the meter and my house?
In Sidney, the property owner is responsible for the service line from the meter pit or curb stop valve into the building. The City handles the main out to the meter pit.
What should I photograph for the insurer?
Take photos and short video of the burst section, standing water, wet walls and damaged belongings before cleanup. Keep damaged items if you can, and ask your insurer what your policy covers.