If a pipe bursts in a New Hill home, turn off the well pump at its breaker, or close the main valve if you're on town water, then cut power near the water. A plumber can repair the break and check the system. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in New Hill.
New Hill is an unincorporated crossroads in southwestern Wake County near Harris Lake, and most homes here use private wells. Town water is available only where Apex or Holly Springs lines reach and the parcel annexes; Apex requires annexation before connecting ETJ parcels, though it can expedite emergency annexation for a dry well. Housing is new, with a median year of 2013 and about two-thirds built since 2010, so most indoor piping is plastic, which can still split in a freeze.
Steps to take right away
- Turn off the well pump. Flip its breaker so it stops pushing water into the break.
- Close the house valve. Usually near the pressure tank, or at the meter if you're on town water.
- Cut power near the water. Breakers for wet outlets and appliances.
- Drain the lines. Open a low faucet.
- Turn off the water heater. Breaker or pilot.
- Take photos. Before cleanup, record the break and the damage.
Leaving a well pump running into a broken line wastes water and can burn out the pump, so switching it off is the most important step. Once it's off, the pressure tank will still push out what it holds, which is why you open a low faucet to drain it.
Signs and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump runs with no water in use | Leak somewhere in the system |
| Pressure tank clicking on and off | Leak or a tank problem |
| Ceiling drip after a freeze | Split PEX or CPVC in the attic |
| Soggy yard along the well line | Break in the line from the well |
| No water at all | Frozen line, pump failure or power loss |
Cost factors
- Where the break is: inside, in the yard line, or at the well house
- Pipe and fitting type
- Whether the pump, pressure switch or tank was damaged
- Drywall or ceiling that needs opening
- Permits through Wake County Permits and Inspections for unincorporated Wake; the Chatham County part of 27562 may differ
- After-hours timing
The plumber will find the break, replace the damaged section or fitting, then turn the pump back on and watch that the tank fills and the pump shuts off normally. If the pump keeps cycling, there may be a second leak.
After a repair on a well system, Wake County offers well water testing, including a radiological package for naturally occurring contaminants. Testing is a reasonable step if the break let surface water near the well.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in New Hill
My house is on a private well. How do I stop the water?
Water is showing up but I can't see the pipe. How is it found?
Will a burst pipe repair need a permit?
How do I keep an outdoor spigot from splitting again next winter?
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