A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water per hour into a building. In a commercial or industrial facility, that can mean damaged inventory, flooded electrical rooms, ruined finishes, and days of downtime. In Southeast Wisconsin, the coldest weeks of January and February are when most of these calls come in.
At BREDAN Mechanical Systems, our certified pipe fitters respond to frozen and burst pipe emergencies throughout the region. Here is a practical response plan your team can follow.
If a Pipe Is Frozen (But Not Broken)
Signs of a frozen pipe include no water flow at a fixture, frost on exposed piping, or unusual sounds in the plumbing.
- Keep the faucet or valve downstream of the frozen section open
- Apply gentle heat to the pipe with warm air – never an open flame
- Warm the space around the pipe by improving heat to that area
- Check nearby piping, since freezing rarely affects just one spot
If the frozen section is inside a wall or ceiling, or you cannot locate it, call a professional before the pipe bursts.
If a Pipe Has Burst
1. Stop the Water
Close the nearest isolation valve upstream of the break. If you cannot find one quickly, shut off the building's main water supply. Every facility should have shutoff valves clearly labeled and mapped.
2. Protect People and Equipment
If water is near electrical panels, equipment, or lighting, cut power to the affected area only if it is safe to do so. Keep occupants away from wet areas and sagging ceilings.
3. Fire Protection Systems
If the break is on a fire sprinkler line, notify your fire protection contractor and local authorities as required. A building with an impaired sprinkler system may need a fire watch.
4. Document Everything
Photograph the break, the water damage, and affected inventory before cleanup begins. This documentation supports insurance claims.
5. Call a Commercial Plumbing Contractor
Provide the location, pipe size and material if known, and whether the system is domestic water, heating hot water, or fire protection.
The Repair Is Only Half the Job
After the immediate repair, the most important question is why the pipe froze. Common root causes include:
- Piping in exterior walls or unheated spaces without insulation
- Failed heat trace or a tripped heat trace breaker
- An outdoor air damper stuck open near the piping
- A unit heater or perimeter heating unit that failed
- Thermostat setbacks that let perimeter spaces get too cold
Without correcting the cause, the same pipe – or the one next to it – is likely to freeze again.
Prevention for the Rest of the Season
- Walk vulnerable areas during the coldest nights
- Verify heat trace circuits are energized and alarmed
- Keep perimeter and mechanical spaces above safe temperatures
- Consider temperature sensors tied into your BAS in high-risk areas
Commercial Plumbing Emergency Service in Southeast Wisconsin
BREDAN Mechanical Systems provides emergency commercial plumbing and piping repair for facilities throughout Waukesha, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Washington, Ozaukee, and Jefferson counties. Our team repairs the damage and helps you fix the root cause. Contact us to schedule a freeze-risk assessment of your facility.
