When a pipe bursts or a drain backs up in Erwin, shut the main valve first, and if you smell gas, leave and call 911 or Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Erwin.
Erwin in short
Erwin has no town water department. Harnett County bought the town's water and sewer systems in 2006, so service, billing and public-side repairs go through Harnett Regional Water at 910-893-7575. The water is disinfected with chloramines.
Erwin grew up as a cotton-mill town on the Cape Fear River, and its houses show it. About 24% of homes were built in 1939 or earlier, roughly two-thirds before 1980, and the median year is 1966. That means a lot of galvanized supply pipe, cast-iron drains and shutoff valves that haven't turned in years.
Steps to take now
- Gas odor: leave the house and call from outside before doing anything else.
- Close the main valve gently. If it won't move, close the valve at the meter instead.
- Turn off the power to an electric water heater from a dry spot.
- Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the lines.
- If neighbors are out of water or backing up too, call Harnett Regional Water.
- Take photos of the damage before cleaning.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Brown water from one tap | Corroded galvanized pipe |
| Pipe leaking at a threaded joint | Galvanized fitting rusted through |
| Sewage coming up a floor drain | Blocked or cracked cast-iron main |
| Valve won't stop the water | Worn or broken gate valve |
| Water heater leaking from the bottom | Tank failure |
| Whole street out of water | Harnett Regional Water main issue |
Cost factors
- Night, weekend and holiday timing
- Old pipe that breaks further when it's cut or threaded
- Access under low floors and behind plaster
- A permit for larger work: Harnett County Inspections handles plumbing for Erwin, but the town's zoning permit comes first
In a house this old, the plumber may suggest repiping a section rather than patching one more joint. You can ask for the emergency repair now and a separate price on the bigger job later. Ask about after-hours rates up front; no arrival time is promised.
Because Erwin's utilities belong to the county, Town Hall can't send a crew for a water or sewer problem. Harnett Regional Water handles the public side, and Erwin's role is mostly zoning and permits. Keep the Harnett Regional Water number handy along with the location of your main shutoff.
Emergency Plumber questions in Erwin
Every faucet in the house went dry at once. What should I check?
Where should I look for the main water shutoff, and what if it's stuck?
Sewage is coming up through a tub or floor drain. Who do I call?
Which plumbing problems can safely wait for regular hours?
More plumbing services in Erwin
Emergency Plumber nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: