If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve first, then call our 24/7 line at (603) 815-9179. We take burst pipe calls at night and on weekends, and a licensed plumber can arrive the same day when the schedule allows.
Burst pipe repair in Londonderry, NH means stopping the flow, cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with sound pipe that meets code. Then we check the neighboring pipe for the same weakness.
What to do in the first ten minutes after a pipe bursts
- Close the main valveIt is usually where the water line enters the house, in the basement, a utility room or a crawlspace. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Open faucetsOpen a faucet at the lowest level and one upstairs to drain the pipes and lower the pressure.
- Cut power to wet areasIf water is near outlets, a panel or a ceiling light, turn off those breakers. Do not stand in water to do it.
- Protect belongingsLift furniture, pull up rugs and use towels, buckets or a wet vacuum.
- Call and photographCall the 24/7 line, then take photos of the damage for your insurer.
If you cannot find or turn the main valve, tell the dispatcher right away. We can advise on where to look, and a plumber carries tools to shut the line.
Frozen pipes: thaw, split or both
New Hampshire winters freeze pipes in garages, crawlspaces, exterior walls and unheated additions. A frozen pipe often splits where the ice formed, and the leak only appears when it thaws. If a faucet gives no water in very cold weather, suspect a freeze.
Leave the faucet open, keep heat on and use a hair dryer on the pipe, working from the faucet toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame. If you see a crack or a spreading wet spot, shut the main and call us.
After the pipe is repaired, we look at why it froze. Insulation, an air leak or a heat tape fix may keep it from happening again.
What we repair, by pipe type
| Pipe | How it fails | How we repair it |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Pinhole leaks, freeze splits, failed solder joints | Cut out the section and sweat in new copper or use push fittings |
| PEX | Freeze splits, damaged fittings | Replace the section and fittings |
| Galvanized steel | Interior rust, thin walls, leaks at threads | Replace in sections, or plan a repipe |
| Cast iron drain | Cracks, rusted joints | Repair or replace the damaged piece |
| PVC or CPVC | Cracks from impact or age | Cut and replace with new pipe and fittings |
Pinhole leaks in copper often signal wider corrosion. If the neighboring pipe is thin, we tell you so you can decide between spot repairs and a larger plan.
Cracked pipes behind walls and under floors
Not every burst is obvious. A stain on a ceiling, a wet floor, a warm spot on a slab or a rising water bill can mean a pipe has failed out of sight. We use pressure tests and moisture meters to trace the leak, and our leak detection page covers those tools.
When walls must be opened, we cut a small access panel and leave it ready for the drywall repair. We do not repair drywall or paint, so plan a separate contractor.
Why pipes burst in Londonderry homes
Cold weather is the main cause. Homes in Londonderry range from older houses to newer development, and any pipe near an exterior wall or an unheated space can freeze. Water pressure surges and old, corroded pipe add to the risk.
Whether a pipe replacement needs a permit is a question for the town's Building and Zoning Enforcement staff at 603-432-1100, extension 440.
What burst pipe repair costs
Once the water is off and the damage is visible, you hear a price before any pipe is cut. The cost depends on:
- The pipe material and size.
- How easy it is to reach, and whether walls or ceilings must be opened.
- How many sections are damaged.
- Whether a freeze caused it, and what protection is needed.
- After-hours or holiday dispatch.
Sudden burst pipe damage is often covered by homeowners insurance, though gradual leaks usually are not. Check your policy and photograph the damage. For your number, call (603) 815-9179.
Serving Londonderry and neighboring towns
We respond across Londonderry and to Hudson, Derry and Litchfield. If water has gone past a damaged supply valve at a fixture, see faucet repair.
Replacement pipe, fittings and shutoff valves are chosen to meet the International Plumbing Code (IPC) as New Hampshire adopts it, so the repair passes if an inspector looks.
Questions we hear in Londonderry
Yes. A burst pipe will not wait, and the line at (603) 815-9179 does not close. Same-day dispatch of a licensed plumber is offered when the schedule allows.
Look near where the water line enters the house, often in a basement, a utility room or a crawlspace. Well homes may also have a shutoff at the pressure tank.
Keep the faucet open and heat the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or warm towels. Never use an open flame. Call us if you see a crack.
Many policies cover sudden water damage. Gradual leaks are often excluded. Read your policy and call your agent.
Sometimes, if there is an access panel. Otherwise we make a small opening, repair the pipe and leave the wall ready for finishing.
Not always. If the failure is a freeze split, a repair is enough. If the pipe is corroded or has repeated pinholes, we discuss a larger plan.