What to Do Immediately After a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

Having a pipe in your home burst can be a scary experience. When water is gushing everywhere, it can cause a lot of damage quickly, making it important to act fast.

You don’t have to panic, but it is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Here’s exactly what to do in the first 60 minutes:

Step 1 — Shut Off the Water

The first and most important thing you need to do is stop the flow of water. Once the water is off, you’ll be able to move forward with the restoration process without the damage compounding.

Locate your home's main water shutoff valve and turn it off immediately. In most homes, the main shutoff valve is located in one of these places:

• In the basement or crawl space
• Near the water heater
• Inside a utility room or garage
• Outside near the water meter
  

If you aren’t sure where your water shutoff valve is, it’s a good idea to locate it before an emergency ever happens; a burst pipe is certainly a situation where a little planning and preparation can prevent a lot of damage.

Once the water is shut off, open nearby faucets to help drain any remaining water from the plumbing system. Flushing your toilets will also help release any remaining pressure in the pipes.

Just be sure to act quickly: every minute that the water stays on can amount to thousands of dollars in water damage.  

Step 2 — Turn Off Electricity in Affected Areas

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring, turn off power to the affected area at your home's electrical panel—but only if it's safe to do so.

Remember that water conducts electricity. That means that if a pool of water in your home comes into contact with an electricity source such as an outlet, it can be very dangerous to touch it. Always err on the side of caution, and never walk through standing water to reach your breaker box. When in doubt, leave the area immediately and contact your utility company or emergency services for assistance.

You should also avoid plugging in electronics or attempting to use electrical appliances until they've been inspected and determined to be safe. In addition to being an electrical shock risk, water damage can cause the wiring in electrical devices to short circuit, creating the risk of an electrical fire if they are used without being inspected.

Electricity in a flooded home is not something to take chances with, and your safety should always come before attempting to protect your property.

Step 3 — Document Everything Before Cleanup

Carefully documenting the damage to your home and belongings before you begin the cleanup process will be extremely valuable when filing an insurance claim and may help speed up the claims process.

• Use your phone to take photos and videos of:
• The burst pipe
• Standing water
• Damaged flooring
• Walls and ceilings
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Personal belongings
• Any visible water stains
  

Capture wide shots of entire rooms as well as close-up images of damaged items.

If possible, make a list of your damaged belongings along with approximate purchase dates and values. This list along with photos of the items will go a long way when it comes time to file an insurance claim.
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Step 4 — Call Your Insurance Company

After you’ve addressed the immediate emergency and documented any damage that occurred, the next step is to contact your homeowner's insurance company as soon as possible.

• Explain what happened and ask about:
• Whether your policy covers burst pipe damage
• What documentation they need
• If they have preferred restoration contractors
• What emergency mitigation expenses are covered
  

Keep records of everyone you speak with, including names, claim numbers, and any instructions you're given. It may seem like overkill, but documenting everything can often end up making the claims process go a lot smoother.

Step 5 — Call a Professional Restoration Company

When a pipe bursts in your home, removing visible water is only part of the job.

Water can seep into just about everything it comes into contact with, including drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinets, and more. Even if these surfaces appear dry, they may still contain trapped moisture, which can lead to mold growth and long-term structural damage.

For this reason, it’s essential to contact a professional restoration company as soon as possible.

Restoration professionals such as the team at Clean Green Restoration can:

• Extract standing water
• Set up commercial-grade drying equipment
• Measure hidden moisture levels
• Remove damaged materials when necessary
• Sanitize affected areas
• Help prevent mold growth
• Work directly with your insurance company throughout the restoration process
  

The sooner the restoration process begins, the greater the chance of saving flooring, drywall, cabinets, and personal belongings.

Step 6 — Begin Protecting Your Belongings

While waiting for restoration professionals to arrive, there are several safe steps you can take to reduce further damage.

Try to move any valuable items to a completely dry location. This might include things like important documents, electronics, artwork, and sentimental belongings.

Next, remove area rugs from wet flooring and place aluminum foil or wood blocks under the legs of furniture to help prevent staining or warping.

If possible, open windows and doors to improve ventilation and use fans in areas that are not affected by electrical hazards. Increased airflow will help slow moisture buildup until professional drying equipment arrives.

Just be careful if you are lifting heavy waterlogged furniture by yourself; it may be unstable or significantly heavier than usual.

Step 7 — Arrange for Plumbing Repairs

A restoration company can address the water damage, but the broken pipe itself will need to be repaired or replaced by a qualified plumber.

There are numerous fixes that a plumber may recommend depending on what caused the burst. Replacing sections of the pipe and repairing fittings will likely be required. If the burst was caused by the water in the pipe freezing, you may need to insulate exposed plumbing to prevent it from bursting again. Excess water pressure is another common cause of burst pipes that a plumber will be able to address.

Once repairs are complete, be sure to have the plumbing system tested before turning the main water supply back on.

What NOT to Do

When a pipe bursts in your home, avoiding a few key mistakes is just as important as taking the right actions. Here are a few things you should never do:

• Don't ignore the damage: Even a small amount of water can lead to mold growth within 24 to 48 hours and cause significant structural damage if left untreated.
  

• Don't use household vacuums to remove water: Standard vacuums are not designed for water cleanup and can create serious electrical hazards.
  

• Don't assume everything is dry: Moisture often becomes trapped inside walls, under flooring, and inside insulation where it isn't visible.
  

• Don't delay calling professionals: Waiting even one or two days can make repairs more extensive and dramatically increase restoration costs.
  

• Don't throw away damaged items immediately: Unless they pose a safety hazard, your insurance company may want to inspect them before disposal.
  

• Don't attempt major demolition yourself: Removing drywall or flooring without proper equipment can expose you to mold, contaminants, or hidden electrical hazards.
  

If you have any questions about what you should or shouldn’t do, Clean Green Restoration is here to help. Contact us anytime to speak with a helpful water damage restoration professional.

Fast Action Can Make All the Difference

A burst pipe can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps during the first hour can significantly reduce the amount of damage to your home.

Start by shutting off the water, making sure the area is safe, documenting the damage, contacting your insurance company, and calling a professional restoration company to begin drying your home as quickly as possible.

The faster moisture is removed, the better your chances of protecting your belongings and keeping repair costs under control. With prompt action and the right professionals on your side, you can minimize the damage that a burst pipe causes.

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