Emergency Services
A Burst Pipe Just Happened. Here's What to Do First.
A burst pipe is one of those problems where the first five minutes matter more than anything after. Here's exactly what to do, in order.
Shut Off the Water Immediately
Find your main shutoff valve and turn it off first, before anything else. This is usually near where the water line enters the house — often in a basement, utility closet, or crawl space. If you don't already know where it is, this is why it's worth finding it before an emergency, not during one.
Cut the Power to Any Affected Area
If water is anywhere near outlets, switches, or a breaker panel, shut off electricity to that area at the breaker box before you do anything else in the space. Water and electricity together are a real hazard, and it's not worth the risk to grab a towel before the power is off.
Contain What You Can, Safely
Once the water and power are handled, use towels, buckets, or a wet/dry vac to keep water from spreading to other rooms or flooring. Move furniture and belongings out of standing water where you can do so safely — this is about limiting damage, not stopping the leak, since the leak should already be stopped by the shutoff valve.
Document the Damage Before You Clean Up
Take photos and video of the damage before you start major cleanup. This matters for insurance, and it's much easier to document while the damage is fresh than to reconstruct it later from memory.
Call a Plumber Before You Call It Fixed
Even after the water is off and the area is dry, the actual break in the pipe still needs to be found and repaired, and the surrounding area often needs to be checked for hidden moisture. A pipe that burst once from freezing, corrosion, or age is telling you something about the rest of the system that's worth having looked at.
Know When It's a True Emergency vs. When It Can Wait
Water actively flowing, water near electrical systems, or a pipe you can't locate to shut off are true emergencies — call for help right away. A slow drip you've already stopped at the shutoff and contained can typically wait for a same-day or next-day appointment, but don't leave it unaddressed for more than a day or two, since drywall and flooring damage gets worse the longer moisture sits.
Get Help Fast When It Counts
A burst pipe rarely happens at a convenient time, and the damage compounds by the minute once water is flowing. If you're dealing with one right now, request emergency service or call us — we'll help you get the water stopped and the repair handled.
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