When a Pipe Bursts, Stay Safe, Then Stop the Water
When a pipe bursts, make sure everyone is safe, stay clear of electricity, shut off the water, and then deal with the damage. Water keeps coming until the supply is closed, so close it as soon as you can do it safely. Here is the order we recommend at Romexterra Restoration.
- Get everyone out and call 911 if a ceiling is sagging or bulging, you see sparks or smell gas, or there is structural damage.
- Stay away from wet outlets and cords, and turn off power only if you can do it without standing in water.
- Close the main water valve, if you can reach it without standing in water near electrics.
- Call a licensed plumber for the pipe.
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved or thrown out.
- Start drying within 24 to 48 hours.
- Call a water damage professional if the water got past one room, a ceiling or a wall.
Check that the room is safe before anything else. Water collecting above a ceiling can bring it down, so if a ceiling is sagging or bulging, or if outlets or fixtures are sparking or buzzing, get everyone out and call 911. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or the gas utility from outside; the CDC says not to turn on lights or do anything that can cause a spark, and not to go back in until you are told it is safe.
Keep Clear of Wet Outlets, Cords and Fixtures
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. The CDC says that if circuits or equipment are wet or near water, you should turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse box, but only from a dry floor. If the panel is in the water, or the only way to it is through water, do not go near it. Call your electric utility or a licensed electrician; the CDC says to call an electrician if you would have to enter standing water to reach the main power switch.
- Never touch a panel, breaker, switch, cord or plugged-in device while standing in water or on a wet floor, and never switch power on or off or use an electric tool while standing in water (CDC).
- Stay away from wet outlets, cords, light fixtures and appliances.
- Have a qualified electrician evaluate water-damaged electrical equipment before power is restored. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) gives the same advice.
Shut Off the Main Water Valve
The EPA advises shutting off your water valves if a pipe bursts. The main valve sits on the water line where it enters your house, and closing it stops the water supply to the whole house. Close it as soon as you can reach it without standing in water near outlets, cords or the electrical panel. If you cannot reach it safely, call a licensed plumber or your water utility. If you are not sure where yours is, our guide to finding and turning off your main water shut-off valve explains where to look and how to close it.
If the valve is stuck, do not force it. Call a licensed plumber or your water utility instead.
Call a Licensed Plumber for the Pipe
The broken pipe itself is a plumbing repair, and that is a job for a licensed plumber. The American Red Cross also points people to a licensed plumber when a frozen pipe cannot be found or thawed. Our part is the water that has already escaped into your home.
It helps to keep the two jobs separate, because they are done by different people:
- A plumber finds the break, repairs or replaces the pipe, and restores your water supply.
- A water damage professional removes the water that got out, dries the affected materials, and removes what cannot be dried.
Document the Damage Before Cleanup Starts
Before you move things around or start tearing out wet materials, record what happened. The NAIC recommends taking photos or videos and making a list of damaged items. Keep damaged items so your insurer can inspect them, keep your receipts, and contact your agent or insurance company as soon as possible.
A good record includes:
- Photos or videos of the broken pipe, the wet areas and the damaged belongings, taken before cleanup.
- A written list of damaged items.
- The damaged items themselves, kept so your insurer can inspect them where practical.
- Every receipt for temporary repairs or supplies.
The NAIC also notes that temporary repairs are typically reimbursed if the loss is covered, so keep receipts for anything you buy to limit further damage, such as tarps or a rental fan. Whether anything is reimbursed depends on your policy.
What Insurers Look At After a Burst Pipe
According to the NAIC, homeowners policies cover damage from a sudden and accidental discharge from a plumbing system. Policies generally require you to keep the home at a minimum temperature, or to shut off the water if the home is vacant. Damage may not be covered if the insurer finds the plumbing was neglected.
We cannot tell you what your policy covers. Read your policy and talk with your insurer. Our guide to water damage insurance claim tips covers what to have ready before you call.
Dry Everything Within 24 to 48 Hours
Once the water is off, the next job is drying. The EPA says that if pipes burst and walls and flooring are wet, you should fix the leak promptly and dry everything completely. It advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
There is plenty you can do while you wait for help:
- Move furniture and belongings off wet floors.
- Pull up wet rugs.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so air can reach the wet areas.
- Run fans and dehumidifiers, but only where the power is safe to use.
Standing water and soaked materials often need more than fans. Professional water removal pulls out the water you cannot mop up, so drying can start on a structure that is not still holding it.
Speed matters because of mold. The EPA ties the 24-to-48-hour window to preventing mold growth, so materials that stay wet past that point become a second problem on top of the first. Do not wait to see whether a wet area dries by itself.
Check Below and Behind the Break
Water can spread well beyond the spot where the pipe broke. Check the ceiling under the break, the baseboards, the floors inside cabinets, and the flooring next to the wet area. The EPA says that when water reaches walls and flooring, they have to be dried completely. A wall or ceiling that looks fine on the surface can still be holding water inside.
If the Pipe Froze, Check the Rest of the House
If a pipe burst because it froze, other pipes may be in trouble too. The American Red Cross says that if one pipe freezes, others may also freeze, so check your other faucets. Our guide on how to unfreeze pipes safely and check for a burst has the full steps.
The Red Cross says to thaw a frozen pipe with an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, a space heater kept away from flammable materials, or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a blowtorch or any other open flame, and do not use an electric heater or hair dryer while standing in water or on a wet floor. If you cannot find or thaw the frozen section, call a licensed plumber. You can read more about what a freeze can do to a home on our frozen pipe water damage page.
When a Burst Pipe Needs Professional Water Cleanup
Some burst pipes are small and the water stays in one spot. Others need professional help. Plan on calling a water damage professional if any of these apply:
- Water reached the ceiling below, the walls or the subfloor.
- Carpet and carpet pad are soaked.
- More than one room is wet.
- Water reached electrical fixtures.
Mold is the other thing to watch. The EPA treats mold patches smaller than about 10 square feet as a job most homeowners can handle. Larger growth, or damage from sewage or other contaminated water, calls for experienced professionals.
If you are in that situation, our team handles the water that is left behind after the plumber has stopped the leak. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration service, and you can read how burst pipe cleanup works on our service page. For the bigger picture, see our water damage restoration services. To talk to someone now, call Romexterra Restoration at (312) 549-9620.
