Burst Pipe? Do These 6 Things Right Now

A burst pipe is one of the few true home emergencies where the speed of your response decides how much it costs you. A pipe can release hundreds of gallons an hour — enough to ruin floors, ceilings, drywall, and everything stored below it in a matter of minutes. The good news: the most important step is free and takes seconds, if you've found your shutoff valve ahead of time.

Here's exactly what to do, in order.

1. Shut off the main water — now

Go straight to your main water shutoff and turn it clockwise until it stops. This cuts all water entering the house and stops the flood at its source. Everything else can wait until this is done.

If you don't know where your shutoff is, that's the single most important thing to fix before an emergency — it's usually where the water line enters the home (near the water heater, in a basement, a utility closet, or an exterior box). See how to shut off the water to your house, and make it a habit with the locate & test your main water shutoff task — every adult in the home should know where it is.

2. Open the faucets to drain the lines

With the main off, open cold taps around the house and flush the toilets. This relieves pressure and drains the water still sitting in the pipes, so less of it ends up on your floor. Save draining the hot side for after you've dealt with the water heater (step 5).

3. Cut the power if water is near anything electrical

Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water is pooling near outlets, wiring, light fixtures, or the electrical panel, shut off power to that area at the breaker — but only if you can reach the panel safely and while standing dry. If you'd have to stand in water to reach it, stay back and call an electrician or the fire department.

4. Stop the damage

Now limit what the water touches:

• Move furniture, electronics, boxes, and anything valuable out of the water.
• Start removing water with towels, a mop, and a wet/dry vacuum.
• Get air moving with fans and open windows; lift soaked rugs.

Standing water leads to warped floors, ruined drywall, and — within a day or two — mold. The faster it's gone, the less you'll replace.

5. Shut down the water heater

If the burst is on a hot-water line, or you've shut off the whole house, protect the water heater: with no incoming water, an electric heater can burn out its element running dry. Switch an electric unit off at the breaker, or set a gas unit to pilot/vacation.

6. Document, then call for help

Before you clean everything up, photograph and video the burst pipe and all the damage — insurers want to see it. Then make two calls:

• A plumber to repair the pipe (your water stays off until they do).
• Your homeowners insurance to open a claim; sudden burst-pipe damage is typically covered.

Why pipes burst — and preventing the next one

Most burst pipes come from one of two causes:

• Freezing. Water expands as it freezes and splits the pipe; the flood comes when it thaws. If you're in a cold climate, how to prevent frozen pipes is essential reading.
• Old or failed supply lines. The braided or rubber hoses feeding toilets, faucets, and washing machines are a top cause of indoor flooding. Inspect them yearly with the inspect washing-machine & toilet supply lines task and swap rubber for braided stainless steel.

For the broader playbook on home crises, see home emergencies: what to do and the plumbing system overview.

Make it automatic

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