Home / What To Do When a Pipe Bursts
What to Do When a Pipe Bursts: First 10 Minutes
Quick answer: Turn off your main water valve, open a low faucet to release pressure, check for water near outlets, and take photos before you clean up. Then call a plumber. Here is the full order, step by step.
Step by Step
- Turn off your main water valve. Turn it clockwise until it stops. It is usually near your water meter.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor. This lets built-up pressure escape.
- Check for water near outlets or your breaker panel. If you see any, turn off that breaker before doing anything else.
- Take photos and video before you clean up. Your insurance company will need this. Once you clean, that proof is gone. See our insurance claims guide for exactly what to document.
- Keep the broken piece of pipe. Do not throw it away. It helps prove what happened.
- Soak up standing water with a wet/dry vacuum if you have one. Move furniture off wet floors.
- Call a plumber. A fan on the surface cannot dry water hiding inside your walls, and mold can start there in as little as 48 hours.
Why the Order Matters
Stopping the water always comes first, safety second, documentation third, cleanup last. Skipping ahead to cleanup before documenting can genuinely cost you part of an insurance claim, and skipping the breaker check when water is near outlets is a real safety risk, not just a formality.
Do Not Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is?
Find it today, before you ever need it in a panic. It is usually near your water meter, in a garage, basement, or along an exterior wall facing the street. If you genuinely cannot find it once water is already spreading, call us immediately, we can talk you through it over the phone while we are on the way.
Mistakes That Make It Worse
Most of the damage from a burst pipe happens in the first hour, and a lot of it comes from a few common, understandable mistakes.
Waiting to see if it stops on its own
A slow drip can sometimes look like it’s tapering off when really it’s just found a new path, often behind a wall where you can’t see it. If water is actively coming from a pipe, shut the main valve. Don’t wait to see if it resolves itself.
Using a household vacuum on standing water
A regular vacuum cleaner isn’t built for water and can short out or create a shock hazard. A wet/dry shop vac is fine. A regular vacuum is not.
Running electrical appliances near the wet area
If there’s standing water anywhere near an outlet, extension cord, or plugged-in appliance, leave it alone until the breaker for that area is off.
Throwing away wet materials right away
It’s tempting to pull out soaked carpet or drywall immediately, but if you’re planning to file an insurance claim, that material may need to be seen or photographed first. Bag it and set it aside rather than putting it straight in the trash.
Is It Safe to Stay in the House?
For a typical residential burst pipe, yes, in most cases you can stay in your home while repairs happen. The exceptions are if water has gotten near your electrical panel or wiring, if the ceiling is sagging from water weight above it (a real structural concern, not just cosmetic), or if the water source is contaminated, like a sewage backup rather than a clean supply line. If any of those apply, it’s worth stepping outside and calling for help rather than waiting it out inside.
Common Questions
How long does burst pipe repair take once help arrives?
A simple repair is often done the same day. If water damage drying is needed, that part usually takes 2 to 5 days before rebuilding starts.
What will this cost me?
Most repairs run $150 to $1,500, though it depends heavily on how long the leak went unnoticed. See our full cost breakdown by job type.
Should I call my insurance company or a plumber first?
Stop the water first, always. Then document with photos. You can call your plumber and insurer in either order after that, but do not let paperwork delay stopping the leak itself.
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