🚨 STOP! Read This First.
If water is actively spraying in your home:
- Find your main water shut-off valve immediately. It is usually in the basement (near the street side) or in a utility closet.
- Turn it CLOCKWISE (right) until it stops.
- Open faucets on the lowest floor to drain remaining water.
- Call a Plumber to fix the pipe.
- Call Fort Wayne Water Dispatch (260-264-0459) to extract the water and dry the structure.
Frozen Pipe Burst in Fort Wayne? Here’s Your Game Plan.
Winter in Fort Wayne is brutal on plumbing. When temperatures drop below freezing (especially in older neighborhoods like '07 or '05), pipes in unheated crawlspaces or exterior walls are ticking time bombs.
If you've just discovered a burst pipe, you're likely stressed. Take a breath. This guide walks you through exactly what to do to save your home and your wallet.
Step 1: Stop the Water (The "Triage" Phase)
Water damages your home at a rate of gallons per minute. Speed is everything.
- Shut off the main: If you can't find the main valve, look for the "curb stop" key or call the City of Fort Wayne Utilities (311) for emergency shut-off, but that takes time you don't have.
- Electric Safety: If water is near outlets or your breaker panel, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Shut off the main power at the breaker box if it's dry and safe to do so. If the panel is wet, evacuate and call 911/Fire Dept.
Step 2: Assess the Damage
Once the water is off, look at the spread.
- Is it clean water? (Supply line) -> Easier to clean, but still causes mold if not dried in 48 hours.
- Is it dirty water? (Drain line/Sewage) -> DANGER. Do not touch. This requires professional PPE.
Step 3: Who Do I Call First? Plumber or Restoration?
This is the most common question we get.
- Call a Plumber First: They fix the pipe. Restoration companies generally do not do plumbing repairs. You need to stop the leak source before drying can begin.
- Call Restoration Second (That's Us): Once the leak is stopped, the clock starts on MOLD. You have about 24-48 hours before mold spores germinate in wet drywall and carpet.
Fort Wayne Water Dispatch: (260) 264-0459
We dispatch IICRC-certified crews to extract water, remove wet drywall, and place industrial dehumidifiers.
Step 4: The Insurance Game
"Will my insurance cover this?"
In Indiana, standard homeowners policies (HO-3) typically cover "sudden and accidental" discharge of water.
- Covered: A pipe freezes and bursts unexpectedly.
- Not Covered: A pipe that has been slowly leaking for 6 months (negligence) or damage from floodwaters (rising water from outside requires separate Flood Insurance).
Pro Tip: Do not throw away the broken pipe segment. Your insurance adjuster may want to see it as proof of failure.
Step 5: Drying Out (The Hard Part)
Shop vacs and towels are not enough. Water wicks up drywall and soaks into subfloors.
- Extraction: We use truck-mounted vacuums to pull 90% of the water out.
- Dehumidification: Industrial LGR dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air and materials.
- Air Movement: High-velocity air movers evaporate moisture.
If you skip professional drying, you risk secondary damage (warped floors) and mold growth (health hazard).