Water spraying from a pipe is the call we take at any hour. The line is open 24/7 in Savage, and we send a plumber as soon as we can, often the same day. The most important step is yours: shut off the main water valve now.
What to do in the first five minutes
- 1
Shut off the main
Turn the main valve clockwise until it stops. It is usually where the water line enters the basement.
- 2
Kill the power if water is near outlets
Only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. Otherwise stay clear.
- 3
Open taps
Open a faucet low in the house to drain the line, then a high one to relieve pressure.
- 4
Move valuables
Lift rugs, electronics and boxes out of the wet area.
- 5
Call us
The 24/7 line sends a plumber and we stay on the phone if needed.
If you cannot find the main, call us and we help you locate it by phone. Know where it is before an emergency.
Why pipes burst in Minnesota
Water expands when it freezes. A plug of ice in a pipe builds pressure between the ice and a closed faucet, and the pipe splits where it is weakest. The burst often happens when the ice thaws and water starts to flow again.
| Location | Why | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior walls | Cold air behind insulation | Keep cabinet doors open, add insulation |
| Crawl spaces and unheated rooms | No heat | Heat tape, insulation |
| Garage or porch lines | Exposed to wind | Insulate, drain before winter |
| Hose bibs | Hose left attached | Disconnect, shut off interior valve |
| Old, corroded pipe | Wall already thin | Replace, see repiping |
Water spraying?
Call the 24/7 line and we talk you through the main shutoff.
Repair and what comes next
Once the water is off, we locate the break, cut out the damaged section and replace it with new pipe and fittings. We then pressure-test the system. If the pipe was frozen, we check other exposed lines for damage.
Drywall, insulation and flooring may need drying or replacement. We stop the water and fix the pipe. A restoration company handles drying and mold. Take photos before anything is moved, for your insurer.
Savage winter notes
Savage winters bring deep freezes, especially in unheated garages, crawl spaces and exterior kitchen walls. If you travel in winter, keep the heat on, open cabinet doors on cold nights and ask a neighbor to check the home. Pipes along the north and west walls are at the most risk.
If you plan any digging near a water line, call Gopher State One Call at 811. It is free and requires at least 48 hours notice, not counting weekends and holidays.
After the repair: protect the house
Once the pipe is fixed, run a fan or dehumidifier in the affected area and keep the heat on. Wet insulation and drywall can grow mold within a couple of days. If water reached finished surfaces, call a restoration company the same day.
Document everything with photos before cleanup, including the broken pipe. Keep our written repair description for your insurer.
Cracked or split pipes
Not every pipe failure is a dramatic burst. A hairline crack or a split along the seam can leak slowly for weeks. Freeze damage is a common cause in Minnesota winters, and the split often sits where a pipe runs through an unheated wall or crawl space.
Signs include a damp spot, a drop in pressure, a hissing sound or a bill that climbs. Shut off the water to that line, open a faucet to relieve pressure and call. We cut out the damaged section and replace it, and we check nearby pipes that saw the same cold.
Cost factors
A burst pipe repair varies widely. You get a clear price before work starts.
Sudden burst-pipe water damage is often covered by homeowners insurance. The pipe repair itself is often not. Call your carrier and keep receipts.
If your lines are old and failing, repiping solves it for good. If the break is outside, see water service line repair. We serve Savage and nearby Prior Lake.
Code and sources
Minnesota Rules chapter 4714 is the state plumbing code and the standard a licensed plumber works to. The Department of Labor and Industry states that it incorporates the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with Minnesota amendments. Your city building department decides when a permit or inspection is needed, so check with them before work begins.
Common questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7, and we offer same-day service when we can.
Raise the heat, open cabinet doors and call us. Do not use an open flame to thaw a pipe.
Sometimes. Controlled warmth can thaw a pipe. We check for cracks before restoring pressure.
Often the resulting damage, but check your policy.
Insulate exposed lines, keep the heat on and let faucets drip on extreme nights.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120