Burst pipe right now? Do this first
- Close the main shutoffUsually where the water line enters the house: basement, crawl space, utility room or near the water heater. See how to shut off the water to your house.
- Turn off the water heaterSwitch a gas heater to pilot or turn off the breaker for an electric one so it doesn’t heat an empty tank.
- Open a faucet at the lowest pointThis drains the water left in the pipes and takes pressure off the break.
- Protect what you canMove belongings, mop up, and keep electrical cords and devices away from the water.
- Document itPhotos of the damage and the pipe help with an insurance claim. Then call.
More detail: burst pipe: what to do.
Pipe problems we repair in Greenwood homes
Frozen and burst pipes
Indiana cold snaps freeze lines in exterior walls, unheated garages and crawl spaces. The pipe splits while frozen and starts leaking when it thaws. See frozen pipe leaks.
Pinhole leaks in copper
Hard water and age wear copper from the inside. One pinhole is often followed by more on the same run. See pinhole leaks in copper pipes.
Failed fittings and valves
Shower valves, shutoff valves under sinks, and push-fit or crimp fittings can drip inside the wall for months.
Older pipe materials
Galvanized steel in older homes near Old Town and gray polybutylene in some homes from the late 1970s to mid 1990s fail more often and may need replacing, not patching.
Ready to fix it? Call and tell us what you’re noticing in your Greenwood home.
(877) 729-0265How a pipe repair inside a wall or ceiling works
- Pinpoint the leakMoisture mapping, thermal imaging and pressure testing mark the exact spot. See hidden leak detection in Greenwood.
- Open at the markA small, square opening is cut in the drywall or ceiling right over the leak.
- Replace the damaged sectionThe leaking piece is cut out and replaced with new pipe and fittings, often PEX or copper to match.
- Test before closingThe line is pressurized and checked for leaks with the wall still open.
- Dry out and closeWet insulation is removed and the cavity is left to dry before the opening is patched.
Repair one spot or replace the run?
| Situation | Usual recommendation |
|---|---|
| One leak from a freeze or a damaged fitting | Repair the section |
| A second pinhole on the same copper run | Replace that run |
| Polybutylene (gray plastic) supply lines | Plan to replace; see polybutylene pipe replacement |
| Galvanized steel with low pressure and rust | Plan to replace; see galvanized pipe replacement |
| Leaks in several rooms within a year | Talk about a repipe; see whole-house repipe cost |
Keep it from happening again
- Before the first hard freeze, disconnect hoses and shut off and drain the lines to outside faucets.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls, and close crawl space vents in winter.
- On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a faucet drip.
- If you have a water softener, keep it working; hard water speeds up wear in copper.
- Consider a smart leak detector or automatic shutoff near the water heater and washer. See smart water leak detectors.
Need more plumbing work while we’re there? See our plumber in Greenwood page.
Leaking Pipe Repair: questions from Greenwood homeowners
Can you fix a leaking pipe inside the wall without tearing out the whole wall?
Yes. Once the leak is pinpointed, the opening is one small square at the marked spot, just large enough to replace the damaged section and test it.
What should I do if a pipe bursts in my Greenwood home?
Close the main water shutoff, turn off the water heater, open a low faucet to drain the lines, move belongings away from the water and take photos for insurance. Then call.
Why do my copper pipes keep getting pinhole leaks?
Age, water chemistry and hard water all wear copper from the inside. When one pinhole appears, the rest of that run has seen the same conditions, so a second leak is common. Replacing the run often costs less than repeated repairs.
Are frozen pipes covered by homeowners insurance?
Sudden damage from a burst pipe is often covered, but policies differ and many exclude damage from neglect such as an unheated house. See our guide to burst pipe insurance claims in Indiana.
Do you repair pipes in crawl spaces?
Yes. Many older Greenwood homes are built over crawl spaces, and the supply and drain lines there are repaired the same way: pinpoint, open access, replace the section and test.
Guides that go deeper
Sources: Indiana American Water; Town of Bargersville Water Utility; Indiana 811; Indiana Administrative Code, Title 327. Updated October 1, 2026.