If a pipe bursts in your Spencer home, close the main water valve and switch off power near the water. A plumber can repair the break and check for corrosion nearby. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Spencer.
Spencer's older homes
Spencer grew up around Southern Railway's Spencer Shops, now the NC Transportation Museum, and its housing is old: the median home was built in 1950, about 76% predate 1980, and about a third predate 1940. Houses of that age often have galvanized steel, older copper or a mix of materials from past repairs. Those are more likely to crack in a freeze, and the old pipe next to a break may be weak too.
What to do now
- Close the main valve, often in the crawl space or basement.
- Turn off breakers for wet outlets or lights.
- Open a low faucet to drain the pipes.
- Turn off the water heater or set a gas unit to pilot.
- Move belongings and put buckets under drips.
- Take photos for insurance.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water spraying in the crawl space | Frozen line that split |
| Rusty water and a leak at a joint | Corroded galvanized pipe that gave way |
| Ceiling stain after cold weather | Upstairs or attic line that froze |
| Wet spot in the yard | Leak on the private service line |
| Low pressure all over the house | Large break or badly corroded pipe |
Cost factors
The bill depends on access, how much pipe failed, the material, and whether the leak is inside or in the yard. Older homes may need extra adapters or a longer replacement section. After-hours calls may cost more.
Spencer is served by Salisbury-Rowan Utilities. SRU maintains the line from the street main to the meter, and the owner is responsible from the meter to the house, so report breaks at the meter or street to SRU. SRU's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, but that covers the service lines, not the pipes inside your house. Larger repairs may need a permit from Rowan County Building Inspections.
Gas is more common here than in many nearby areas: about 39% of homes in ZIP 28159 heat with utility gas. If your water heater or furnace runs on gas, set the heater to pilot after the water is off, and if you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call 911 or Piedmont Natural Gas from outside.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Spencer
After one burst, should an older house be repiped?
If the break is out in the yard, is it my repair or the water utility's?
What should I document for an insurance claim?
The taps are dry on a frigid morning. Is a pipe frozen?
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