Between January 2 and January 5, 2018, pressure from frozen soil ruptured eight Gastonia water mains. More than 1,700 residential and business customers lost water service in the first week of January. A city main break and a split pipe inside a house are different problems, and they need different responses.
Key takeaways
- The January 2018 breaks happened in city mains, which city utilities maintenance crews repair.
- A pipe that splits inside a home is a private plumbing problem, and it releases water into walls, ceilings and floors.
- When service returns after an outage, walk the house for drips, damp ceilings and running fixtures.
- Frozen soil and frozen pipes come from the same cold, so a main break week is a good time to check exposed pipes.
- Burst pipe cleanup follows an order: shutoff, extraction, then drying.
What happened in Gastonia in January 2018
Eight Gastonia water mains ruptured between January 2 and January 5, 2018, from pressure that frozen soil placed on the pipes. More than 1,700 residential and business customers lost water service in the first week of January.
A main break on East Ozark Avenue shut off water to the entire town of Ranlo until 10:30 that night. The City of Gastonia provides water service to Ranlo.
In the same cold week, 97 residents of an apartment complex on Hudson Landing Drive lost water for six hours. City crews said repairs typically took 4 to 9 hours, and some employees worked 16 hours straight in the cold.
These events happened in public mains and affected service. They did not describe damage inside homes, which is a separate question.
A city main break is not a burst pipe at home
A water main is the large pipe under the street that carries water to many homes. City utilities maintenance crews repair mains, and Gastonia asked residents to report water gushing from a manhole, bubbling up through a street crack or showing up where it does not belong.
A pipe that splits inside a house is a private plumbing problem. The water goes into the walls, ceiling and floor of that house, and no city crew can stop it from the street.
- A main break usually affects the water supply of a whole street or area.
- A burst pipe at home usually shows as a wet spot, a stain or the sound of running water inside the house.
- Both can happen in the same cold week.
When service returns, walk the house
A pipe that was damaged by the cold may show it once water flows again. A short walk through the house can catch a leak before it spreads.
In apartment buildings the manager should check common areas and each unit, since one failed pipe can reach several units.
- Check ceilings and walls below bathrooms and kitchens for new stains.
- Listen for running water with every fixture off.
- Look under sinks and around the water heater for drips.
- Read the water meter: if it moves with every fixture off, water is escaping somewhere.
- Open faucets slowly and watch for leaks at the connections.
Water heaters and appliances after an outage
Outages also test the equipment that depends on steady water. A tank or a hose that was fine before the cold may leak when pressure returns.
- Make sure the water heater tank is full before the power or gas turns it back on.
- Look for drips at the fittings and the relief valve once pressure returns.
- Check washing machine and dishwasher hoses for drips when the water comes back.
- Look behind the refrigerator for a wet floor near the ice maker supply tube.
Frozen soil and frozen pipes share one cause
The same cold that pressed on mains in January 2018 can freeze water inside a home's pipes, especially in exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces and garages. A pipe that freezes can split, and the water often escapes only when it thaws.
Read more about frozen pipe water damage and how the cleanup is handled.
- Pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces freeze first.
- A faucet that gives only a trickle in a hard freeze is a warning sign.
- A split often hides inside a wall until a stain appears.
What burst pipe cleanup involves
The work follows a clear order, and each step protects the next one.
Cleanup time depends on how long the water ran and how many floors it reached. A pipe caught early may mean one wet room, while a hidden split can reach several.
Stop the water
Shut off the main valve at the house and open a low faucet to drain the pipes. Turn off power to wet areas if water reached outlets or fixtures.
Extract and open
The extraction crew removes standing water, and the team opens wet drywall and baseboard to reach the cavity. Wet insulation is removed.
See burst pipe water damage for how the steps unfold.
Dry and verify
Air movers and dehumidifiers run until moisture readings match a dry reference. The team records readings each day so the drying is documented.
Before the next cold snap
None of these steps changes what happens to a city main, but each reduces the chance of a split pipe inside the house.
The Gastonia water damage pages list every service and what each involves. For extraction after a pipe lets go, water extraction explains the process.
- Find the main shutoff valve and test that it turns.
- Insulate exposed pipes in garages, attics and crawl spaces.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during a hard freeze.
- Let a faucet on an exterior wall run at a slow drip during a hard freeze.
Questions
Does a water main break cause damage inside a house?
Usually not directly. The main is under the street, so a break cuts service. Problems inside appear when a weakened pipe fails as water returns.
How can a homeowner tell if a pipe burst during an outage?
Check for wet ceilings and damp floors, and watch the meter once service returns. The sound of running water with every fixture off points to a leak.
Who fixes a broken water main?
City utilities maintenance crews repair mains in Gastonia. The owner or a plumber fixes pipes inside the house.
Is a split pipe covered by homeowners insurance?
Coverage depends on the policy and the cause. Sudden pipe failures are often treated differently from slow leaks, so the insurer can say what applies.
Should the water heater be checked after an outage?
Yes. Make sure the tank is full before the power or gas turns it on, and look for drips at the fittings once water pressure returns.
What is the first thing to do when a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main valve at the house, then turn off power to any wet area. After that, contact a restoration team so extraction can start.