A burst pipe rarely gives much warning. One moment everything's normal, and the next there's water spreading across the floor. What you do in the first few minutes can make a real difference in how much damage the property ends up with.
Shut Off the Water First
The main water shutoff valve is usually near the water meter, in a basement, crawl space, or utility closet. Turning it off stops new water from feeding the leak while you sort out next steps. It's worth locating this valve before an emergency happens, not during one.
Protect the Property
Once the water is off, move furniture, electronics, and rugs away from the wet area if it's safe to do so. If water is near outlets or wiring, switch off power to that area at the breaker rather than touching anything electrical directly.
Know When It's an Emergency
A burst pipe is generally treated as a plumbing emergency because of how quickly water damage can spread. See our emergency plumbing page for other situations that typically fall into the same category.
Call for Help
Once the immediate flow of water is under control, call to describe the situation, including the approximate location of the pipe and how much water has come through. From there, your call is connected with an independent local plumbing contractor who can assess the damage and make the repair. Read more on our burst pipe page.