Emergency Burst Pipe — Annapolis, MD
An Annapolis homeowner woke up to water pouring through the ceiling from a burst pipe in the attic. A copper supply line had frozen and burst during a hard freeze. We arrived within 90 minutes, shut off the water, repaired the burst section, and insulated the pipe to prevent recurrence.
The Problem
An Annapolis homeowner called us at 6:30 AM after waking up to water pouring through the ceiling of their master bedroom. The temperature had dropped to 12°F overnight. A copper supply line in the attic had frozen and burst, and water had been flowing for an unknown period.
Our Diagnosis
We arrived within 90 minutes. The burst was in a 3/4-inch copper supply line in the attic — a section that ran along the exterior wall with no insulation. The pipe had frozen solid and the ice expansion had split the pipe along a 4-inch section. The main water supply had been shut off by the homeowner, limiting the damage.
The Repair Process
- 1Confirmed main water supply shut off — damage limited
- 2Located burst section in attic — 4-inch split in 3/4-inch copper line
- 3Cut out burst section and installed new copper with sweat fittings
- 4Pressure tested repair — confirmed no leaks
- 5Wrapped entire attic supply line run with pipe insulation
- 6Added heat tape to most vulnerable section near exterior wall
- 7Restored water supply — confirmed no additional leaks
- 8Documented damage for homeowner's insurance claim
The Outcome
Burst pipe repaired and water restored within 3 hours of arrival. Pipe insulated to prevent recurrence. Homeowner's insurance claim documentation provided. No recurrence during subsequent cold weather events.
Key Takeaway
Pipes in uninsulated attic spaces are the most vulnerable to freezing in Maryland winters. If you have supply lines running through an uninsulated attic or exterior wall cavity, insulate them before the first hard freeze. Heat tape is a secondary protection for the most exposed sections.
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George Baker III
Annapolis, MD
May 2026
"We recently had Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland out to our home in Annapolis after we suddenly started noticing sewer flies throughout the house. They truly lived up to their name and performed a full "deep dive" diagnostic inspection instead of just treating the symptom. During their inspection they discovered our sewer pipe connected to the toilet had been leaking into the basement for quite some time. The team explained everything clearly, provided upfront pricing before starting any work, and even gave us a military discount which was greatly appreciated. They were professional, respectful, extremely knowledgeable, and took the time to make sure the repair was done correctly."
Angelis Reilly
Southern Maryland
June 2026
"TJ was great!! He answered our emergency call late evening hours. He was honest and gave us options to make a decision. Highly recommend!!"
Sally Ludwig
Dunkirk, MD
June 2026
"Great service with knowledgeable and neat professionals. Highly recommend! Deep Dive Plumbing helped with my bathroom project, including reinstalling a pedestal sink after new flooring was installed and addressing a toilet issue that had been causing constant clogs. The team was professional, courteous, and took the time to make sure everything was completed correctly. Their attention to detail and cleanliness really stood out. I am very happy with the results and would not hesitate to call them again."
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