Key takeaways
- Shut off the main water valve first.
- Turn off the water heater and electricity to wet areas if it is safe.
- Photograph the damage before you clean up.
- Call a plumber and your insurance company.
The first ten minutes
Find your main shutoff valve and turn it off. It is usually where the water line enters the house: a basement or crawl space wall, a garage, a utility closet or near the water heater. A quarter-turn ball valve closes with a quarter turn, and a round gate valve needs several turns clockwise.
If water has reached outlets or appliances, stay away from them and switch off the circuit breaker only if you can do it without standing in water. Open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain what is left in the pipes.
Limit the damage
Move furniture and valuables, pull up rugs and use towels, buckets and a wet-dry vacuum. Open windows and run fans once the water is stopped to help the area dry.
Take photos and short videos of the damage and the burst pipe before cleanup. They help with your insurance claim.
Then call for help
A plumber can repair the pipe and check the rest of the system for the same weakness, and a water-damage company can dry the structure. Call your insurer early, because the policy may require quick action to limit loss.
To prevent a repeat, find out why it burst. Cold, corrosion and high pressure each have a different fix.
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Quick answers
Where is my main water shutoff?
Look where the water line enters the house, often a basement or crawl space wall, garage or utility closet, and near the water meter in a box by the street. Find it before you need it.
Should I turn off the electricity?
If water is near outlets or panels and you can reach the breaker without standing in water, yes. If not, call the power company or an electrician.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.