What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Roanoke Home

Emergency Guide

Move fast — in this order

• 1. Shut off the water. Find your main shutoff valve (usually where the line enters the home, near the water heater, or at the meter) and turn it clockwise. Knowing where this valve is before an emergency saves the most damage.
• 2. Cut power if water is near outlets or your panel. Don't touch the electrical panel if you'd be standing in water — call the utility or an electrician.
• 3. Drain the lines. Open cold taps and flush toilets to clear remaining water from the pipes and relieve pressure.
• 4. Document the damage. Photograph everything before cleanup for your insurance claim.
• 5. Call a plumber. Emergency calls go to the front of the callback line for emergency calls across Roanoke and Roanoke County — (540) 302-5580.

Why pipes burst in Roanoke

Roanoke winters drop well below freezing, and frozen pipes are the leading cause of winter bursts — especially in older homes with uninsulated lines in crawlspaces, basements, and exterior walls. Aging galvanized-steel piping (common in the valley's older housing) is more prone to failure once it corrodes from the inside.

Prevent the next one

Insulate exposed pipes, keep the heat on during cold snaps, let a faucet drip on the coldest nights, and have hidden leaks found early with leak detection. If your home still has old galvanized lines, repiping ends the cycle for good.

Related Guides & Services

• Emergency Plumbing
• Leak Detection & Repair
• Repiping Services

Or just call (540) 302-5580 — we're happy to answer questions before you commit to anything.