Burst Pipe in Your House? What to Do in the First Hour

Shut off the water

Turn off the main water shutoff valve for the house. If the leak is at a single fixture, such as a toilet supply line or the line under a sink, the small valve next to that fixture may be enough.

• The main valve is usually where the water line enters the house: a basement, crawl space, garage or utility room, or near the water heater.
• Outside near the foundation on the side facing the street, or in a covered box in the yard. Homes built on a concrete slab often have the main shutoff outside.
• The curb valve at the street meter can stop the flow if you can’t find or turn the house valve, but some utilities restrict access to it. Call your utility’s emergency line if you’re unsure.

After the water is off, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pressure out of the pipes. The Texas Department of Insurance’s advice is simple: stop the leak as soon as you can, and know where your main valve and fixture valves are before you need them.

Make the area safe

Water and electricity are the real danger. FEMA’s guidance is to avoid touching wet electrical equipment or standing in water near it, and to turn off electricity only if it’s safe to do so.

• If the breaker panel is dry and you can reach it without standing in water, turn off the circuits for the wet area.
• If the panel is in the wet area, leave it alone and call an electrician or your utility.
• Move people and pets out of rooms where the ceiling is sagging or bulging with water. A waterlogged ceiling can come down.

Document the damage

Insurers will ask for proof. Before you move or throw anything away:

1. Photograph and video everything: the burst pipe, the standing water and everything that got wet.

2. List damaged belongings. A quick list on your phone is enough to start.

3. Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them, unless they’re a health hazard.

4. Keep receipts for anything you spend to limit the damage, such as fans, a wet vac or a plumber’s emergency visit.

Call your insurer

Report the claim as soon as you can. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that hidden water damage usually has to be reported within days of when you first see it.

• Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from inside the house, such as a burst pipe or a broken washer hose.
• Damage from a slow leak that went on for a long time is usually not covered.
• If a pipe froze and burst, the NAIC notes that coverage can depend on whether you took reasonable steps to prevent freezing, such as keeping the house heated or shutting off the water while the home was vacant.
• Flooding from outside, such as rising water or storm runoff, needs a separate flood policy.

Make temporary repairs to stop further damage and keep receipts, but don’t make permanent repairs until the insurer has seen the damage.

Start drying

Mold is the second wave of damage. The EPA says drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours usually prevents mold growth.

• Remove standing water with a wet vac, mops and towels.
• Pull up wet rugs and move wet furniture and belongings to a dry, ventilated room.
• Run fans and a dehumidifier, and open windows if the air outside is drier.
• Ceiling tiles, carpet pad and other absorbent materials that stay wet often have to be thrown out.

If drywall, insulation or subflooring got soaked, surface drying isn’t enough. Water wicks up into walls and sits under floors, which is where a restoration company’s moisture meters and drying equipment earn their cost.