Burst & Frozen Pipe Water Damage in Cicero, IL
A split pipe can put hundreds of gallons into a home before anyone notices, often from an unheated back porch, an outside wall or the floor above. Shut off the water and call.
- Water removal and drying
- Sewer backup cleanup
- Photos and moisture logs for insurance
Before help arrives
Then call. We will take it from there.
- 1Shut off the main water valve. In most Cicero homes it is in the basement, near where the water line enters from the street.
- 2In a two-flat, find the building main; units rarely have their own shut-off.
- 3Turn off power to wet rooms if you can reach the panel safely.
- 4Open faucets to drain the lines, and photograph the damage.
What should I do when a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve right away, turn off power to wet areas if it is safe, and take photos before moving anything. Then get the water extracted and the walls, ceilings and floors dried with dehumidifiers and moisture readings. A plumber repairs the pipe; restoration dries and repairs the building around it.
Last updated . Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Signs of a burst or frozen pipe
Some pipe failures are obvious. Others show up as damage first:
- No water, or a trickle, from a faucet on a very cold morning
- Water dripping through a ceiling, often under a bathroom or kitchen
- Bulging or stained ceiling drywall or plaster
- Water spreading from under a wall or a kitchen sink cabinet
- Sound of running water when every fixture is off
- A water bill or meter reading far higher than normal
How we handle burst pipe damage
Pipe water is usually clean at first, which means more can be dried in place if work starts fast.
- 1
Confirm the water is off
Make sure the source is isolated. If the pipe is still frozen elsewhere, a plumber should thaw and repair it before the water comes back on.
- 2
Extract standing water
Water is pulled from floors, carpet and pad, starting with the floor where it is spreading fastest.
- 3
Find the hidden water
Moisture meters and thermal checks show how far water ran inside walls and ceilings, and into the floor below.
- 4
Open only what is needed
Small holes or a narrow strip of drywall let walls dry from inside. Sagging ceilings come down before they fall.
- 5
Dry and record
Dehumidifiers and air movers run with daily readings until materials are back to normal.
Not sure how bad it is?
A two-minute call and a few questions usually tell us what the job needs.
Call now: (708) 360-8574Why pipes freeze in Cicero homes
Chicago-area winters reach temperatures that test any plumbing. On January 30, 2019, the National Weather Service recorded -23°F in Chicago, the coldest reading in 34 years. Cold snaps like that are when burst pipe calls spike.
Back porches, outside walls and crawl spaces
Many Cicero two-flats and bungalows have enclosed rear porches, kitchens and bathrooms along exterior walls, and plumbing added or rerouted over the decades. Pipes in an unheated porch or against a cold brick wall freeze first. When the ice expands, the pipe splits, and the leak starts when it thaws.
Vacant units and garages
About a quarter of Cicero's housing is in small apartment buildings, and many owners live in one unit of a two-flat. A vacant unit with the heat turned down, or a garage with a water line, can freeze while everyone else is warm.
How to lower the risk
Keep the heat at 55°F or above even when away, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, let a faucet drip in extreme cold, and insulate pipes in porches and crawl spaces. Ready.gov has a full winter checklist.
What affects the cost of burst pipe restoration
The pipe repair is usually the cheap part. Costs depend on where the water went:
- How long it ran
- A pipe that leaked for an hour is very different from one that ran all weekend while the house was empty.
- How many floors
- Water from a second-floor bathroom can reach the first floor ceiling and the basement too.
- Plaster or drywall
- Older plaster walls and ceilings dry slowly and can lose their bond to the lath.
- Floors
- Hardwood can often be dried in place if work starts quickly. Laminate and carpet pad usually cannot.
- Ceilings
- Sagging or soaked ceilings may need to come down for safety.
- Drying time
- Equipment usually runs three to five days, longer in plaster and brick.
Prices are not quoted online. A fair estimate comes after the damage has been measured on site.
Is burst pipe damage covered by insurance?
Usually, yes. Water damage from a pipe that bursts suddenly is normally covered by a standard homeowners policy. A few things can cause problems:
- Freezing in an unheated or vacant home: policies may deny freeze damage if heat was not kept on, or if the home was vacant for a long period.
- Slow leaks: damage from a leak that went on for weeks is often treated as maintenance and excluded.
- The pipe itself: repair of the broken pipe is often not covered, even when the water damage is.
Take photos of the broken pipe and keep the damaged section if a plumber removes it.
Sources
- National Weather Service Chicago: Record Cold, January 30-31, 2019
- Ready.gov: Winter Weather
- U.S. EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Check your own policy for what it covers.
Burst & Frozen Pipes: common questions
Where is the main water shut-off in a Cicero house?
Usually in the basement, on the wall facing the street where the water line comes in, near the meter. In a two-flat there is normally one main for the whole building.
My pipes are frozen but not leaking. What should I do?
Open the faucet, then warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater, starting near the faucet. Never use an open flame. If you cannot find the frozen section, call a plumber before it splits.
Can a wet ceiling be saved?
If it is flat and only stained, often yes. If it sags or bulges, it is holding water and can fall. Keep people out from under it and call.
How long does it take to dry after a burst pipe?
Usually three to five days with dehumidifiers and air movers. Plaster, brick and multiple floors can take longer. Moisture readings decide when it is done.
Do I need mold remediation after a burst pipe?
Not if everything is dried within 24 to 48 hours. Mold becomes a problem when water sits hidden in a wall or ceiling. See mold remediation.
Related services
Emergency Water Removal
Standing water pumped and extracted before it soaks deeper.
Structural Drying
Drying plaster, brick, framing and floors with measured readings.
Ceiling & Roof Leaks
Ice dams, flat-roof leaks and water coming through from upstairs.
We also serve nearby towns
Serving Cicero and the near west suburbs, including:
Water still coming in? Call now.
Shut off the water if you can do it safely, keep away from wet outlets, and call. We will talk you through the next few minutes and get help moving.