Shut off the main water, kill power if unsafe, drain taps, contain water, document damage, and call a licensed plumber and insurer.
Water moves fast. A split line can soak floors, sag ceilings, and ruin wiring in minutes. The good news: a calm, clear plan limits loss. Here’s a field-tested playbook for a burst pipe that keeps safety first, cuts water quickly, and sets you up for repairs and claims without chaos.
Dealing With A Burst Pipe At Home: Fast Action Plan
Step 1 — Stop the flow. Find the main shutoff and close it. Turn the lever so it’s crosswise to the pipe. Gate valve? Turn the wheel clockwise until it stops. If you can’t reach the indoor valve, use the curb stop at the meter or ask your utility to close it.
Step 2 — Stay safe around power. If water nears outlets, a breaker panel, or large appliances, cut power to the affected circuits. Do not touch switches while standing in water. If anything feels risky, keep clear and wait for an electrician or your utility.
Step 3 — Drain pressure. Open cold taps starting at the top floor and work down. Flush toilets. Turn off the water heater, then open hot taps to empty the lines. This reduces spray from the break and slows additional leaks.
Step 4 — Contain and protect. Use buckets, towels, and pans to catch drips. Move rugs, electronics, documents, and soft furnishings out of the wet zone. Slide foil or plastic under furniture legs to prevent staining. Shut interior doors to direct airflow where you need it.
Step 5 — Make a quick, temporary patch. For small splits, a rubber patch and hose clamp, a push-fit coupling, or fiberglass repair wrap can hold until a plumber arrives. Wipe the pipe dry and wrap tightly. Avoid open flame fixes.
Burst Pipe First 10 Minutes Checklist
| Step | What To Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shutoff | Close main valve; verify meter dial stops. | Stops new water from entering the home. |
| Power | Switch off wet-area circuits at the breaker. | Cuts shock risk and protects equipment. |
| Drain | Open taps high to low; flush toilets. | Drops line pressure and leftover flow. |
| Catch | Set buckets, lay towels, move valuables. | Limits spread into floors and walls. |
| Patch | Clamp or push-fit a short split. | Buys time until pro repair. |
| Call | Book a licensed plumber. | Permanent fix and code-compliant work. |
Not sure where the shutoff is? Many utilities publish location tips; such as, Seattle Public Utilities explains meter and curb valves and how to turn them safely. If you still can’t find or close yours, call the water provider for assistance.
Rapid Drying That Actually Works
Time is your rival once materials get wet. Start removing standing water with a wet vac or pump. Pull baseboards so air can reach the wall-to-floor joint. Run fans from dry areas toward the damp zone so you’re pushing moisture out, not deeper in.
Porous items act like sponges. Lift or remove carpet and pad if saturated. Cut out soggy drywall at least 2 inches above the highest watermark; a straight horizontal cut saves repair time. Bag wet insulation. Launder washable fabrics quickly.
Mold can start fast on wet paper, wood, and fabrics. Public health advice advises drying within 24–48 hours and using safe cleaners on small spots. The CDC outlines basic mold clean-up steps, including safe bleach ratios, protective gear, and ventilation. Anything sewage-soaked belongs in the trash.
Smart Documentation For Insurance And Repairs
Before heavy tear-out, record the scene. Take wide shots that show entire rooms, then close-ups of damaged floors, walls, cabinets, and contents. Photograph the broken pipe and the shutoff you used. Add short video clips panning the space with your voice stating the date and time.
Create a simple list of damaged items with brand, model, and rough purchase year. Keep receipts for emergency materials, drying gear rentals, plumber visits. Save screenshots of texts, emails, and call logs with your plumber, contractor, and insurer.
When you file a claim, your adjuster needs two things: proof of loss and proof you acted to prevent added damage. Your photos, item list, and receipts make that easy. Keep wet materials you removed in a separate pile outside until the adjuster gives the go-ahead to discard.
When To Call Pros, And When You Can DIY
Bring in a plumber right away for the permanent repair. Call a licensed electrician if outlets, breakers, or major appliances were splashed or submerged. For heavy flooding, a water-damage firm can map hidden moisture with meters, dry cavities without full demo, and apply antimicrobial products where needed.
Water source tells you a lot about risk. A supply line break is usually cleaner. A dishwasher or washing machine leak may contain soil. A sewage backup is unsafe to handle without full protective gear and trained help. If odor is strong, the water is dark, or debris is present, step back and get professional support.
DIY Or Pro? Quick Guide
| Situation | Safe DIY Tasks | Call A Pro For |
|---|---|---|
| Clean supply line break | Shutoff, draining, fans, dehumidifiers, small drywall cuts. | Pipe repair, moisture mapping, hardwood rescue. |
| Appliance leak | Water removal, cleaning, part replacement if trained. | Hidden cavity drying, cabinet drying rigs. |
| Sewage or storm ingress | Isolate area, photos, move valuables. | PPE, disposal, disinfection, structural drying. |
| Wet electrical gear | Keep clear; label breaker off. | Inspection and testing before re-energizing. |
| Ceiling sag | Clear the room below. | Safe removal and rebuild. |
Why Pipes Burst And How To Prevent A Repeat
Freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice. Add pipe movement and weak joints split. Insulate lines in attics, crawlspaces, and exterior walls. On hard freezes, let a trickle run on vulnerable taps and open sink doors so warm air reaches the trap and supply lines.
Wear and vibration. Old galvanized and thin copper can pit and crack. Long runs without clamps rattle when valves shut. Add pipe straps, swap worn sections, and add a pressure-reducing valve if your static pressure sits above 80 psi.
Water hammer. Fast-closing valves make pressure spikes. Install arrestors on clothes washers, dishwashers, and icemaker lines. Slow-close angle stops help at sinks and toilets.
Corrosion and chemistry. Aggressive water, stray electrical current, and dissimilar metals can eat pinholes. Use proper dielectric unions, keep bonding intact, and match materials correctly during repairs.
Planning The Permanent Repair
Once the area is dry to normal levels, schedule the rebuild. Ask your plumber about like-for-like vs upgraded pipe, isolation valves for branches, and smart leak sensors with auto-shutoff. Label the main valve and any branch isolation valves. Mount an easy-to-read tag near the breaker panel that states the water shutoff location.
For walls and ceilings, replace removed drywall, then prime with a stain-blocking primer before paint. Replace insulation with the right R-value and add a smart thermostat sensor in drafty spots so you’ll catch cold rooms early. Reinstall baseboards after moisture readings show normal.
At-A-Glance Response Flow You Can Save
1) Close water. 2) Make it safe around power. 3) Drain taps. 4) Catch and move. 5) Patch the split. 6) Document. 7) Call pros. 8) Pull wet materials. 9) Run fans and dehumidifiers. 10) Check moisture daily. 11) Rebuild once dry.
Print that list and tape it inside a kitchen cabinet. Add two phone numbers under it: your water provider and a trusted plumber.
Common Mistakes To Avoid During A Burst Pipe
Waiting to shut off the main. People often search for towels while water keeps pouring. The main valve comes first. If the handle feels stuck, use firm, steady force, not jolts that could snap the stem. When it closes, the sound of moving water should fade quickly.
Switching breakers while standing in water. Electricity and water do not mix. Stand on a dry surface or a rubber mat, reach with a dry hand, and flip the correct breaker. If you can’t reach dry ground, step back and call an electrician or your utility.
Leaving wet materials in place “to see if they dry.” Paper-faced drywall, particle board, and insulation hold moisture. Pull them early so framing can dry. Keep one small sample for your adjuster if needed.
Home Kit And Supplies For Pipe Emergencies
A small bin near the utility room can turn panic into a simple routine. Stock:
- Adjustable wrench, meter shutoff tool, and a flashlight with spare batteries.
- Two large hose clamps, a length of rubber sheet, and fiberglass repair wrap.
- Push-fit couplings sized for your common pipe types.
- Heavy gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses.
- Contractor bags, painter’s tape, plastic sheeting, and foil squares.
- Two high-CFM fans and a medium dehumidifier.
Open the bin once a year and test every item. Spin valve handles, run the fans for a minute, and check batteries.
Seasonal Checks That Prevent Burst Pipes
Before freezing nights. Disconnect garden hoses, close interior hose-bib valves, and open exterior bibs so trapped water can drain. Add foam caps outside and pipe sleeves where lines pass through unheated spaces.
During cold snaps. Keep indoor heat steady day and night. Let vulnerable taps drip a thin stream. Open vanity doors so warm air reaches the trap and supplies. If a room runs much colder, add a small fan to move air near the pipes.