Burst pipe cleanup in Boston
- 33 ZIP codes covered in Boston
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- Emergency response
Burst pipe cleanup in Boston
On February 4, 2023, the temperature in Boston fell to 10 below zero, the coldest in decades, with wind chills far lower. Over the following days, as the city warmed up, pipes that had frozen began to thaw and leak in triple-deckers, brownstones, schools, hospitals and office towers. Fire sprinkler lines in stairwells, attics and parking garages were among the most common failures.
Boston housing makes a burst pipe a shared event. In a Dorchester or Jamaica Plain triple-decker, a split on the third floor runs through two more homes on the way to the basement. In Back Bay and South End brownstones converted to condos, the water crosses unit boundaries and involves the association's master policy and several owners' policies at once. Much of this housing has plaster walls and steam or hot-water heat, and pipes often run through unheated rear stairwells and enclosed porches.
Because so many buildings date from before 1978, opening wet walls and ceilings can disturb lead paint, and old pipe insulation in basements may contain asbestos. A careful company tests or treats suspect materials properly before demolition. That adds a step, but it protects the people who live in the building.
More about water damage in Boston.
Burst pipe cleanup at a glance
- Service area
- Boston, MA, Suffolk County
- First step
- Shut off the main water valve
- Water category
- Usually clean (Category 1) at first
- Common causes
- Freezes, failed supply lines, aging galvanized and polybutylene pipe
- Pipe repair
- Done by a licensed plumber
How the job works
Shut off and repair
You or the crew shut off the main. A licensed plumber repairs the pipe; many restoration companies can arrange one.
Open and extract
Water is extracted, and wet ceiling drywall may be opened to drain trapped water and let the cavity dry.
Dry walls and floors
Air movers, dehumidifiers and sometimes wall-cavity drying systems dry framing and drywall in place where possible.
Repair
Drywall patches, texture, paint, trim and flooring are replaced once readings confirm the structure is dry.
Signs, costs and general questions
The warning signs, the factors that affect cost, safe first steps and answers to general questions are the same everywhere. They are covered on the main burst pipe cleanup page.
Questions about burst pipe cleanup
A pipe burst in the condo above mine in Boston. Whose insurance covers my unit?
Usually your own condo policy covers your unit's interior finishes and belongings, and the master policy covers common areas and structure, depending on the condo documents. Notify your insurer and the management company.
Why do pipes in back stairwells freeze so often?
Rear stairwells and enclosed porches in triple-deckers are usually unheated, and plumbing was often run through them. In severe cold, with wind, they drop below freezing even when the apartments are warm.
Does wet plaster need to be torn out?
Not always. Plaster that is still firmly attached can often be dried in place. Plaster that has sagged, crumbled or separated from the lath needs to be removed, with lead-safe practices in older buildings.
Where we can connect you
Other places we cover in Massachusetts:
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Water where it shouldn't be?
Call and we'll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Free, no obligation.