What To Do When a Pipe Bursts (Before the Plumber Arrives)

A burst pipe can flood a home fast. Here's the step-by-step on shutting off your water, minimizing damage, and getting a local pro dispatched 24/7.

A burst pipe is one of the few plumbing emergencies where minutes truly matter. The first move is always the same: shut off your home's main water supply. Find your main shutoff valve (often near where the water line enters the home, in a basement, crawl space, or near the water heater) and turn it clockwise until it stops.

Next, open the lowest faucets in the house to drain remaining water from the lines and relieve pressure. If the burst is near electrical outlets, panels, or wiring, shut off power to that area at the breaker before you go near the water.

Move valuables, electronics, and furniture away from the water, and start mopping or toweling to limit how far it spreads. Photograph the damage for your insurance before you clean everything up.

Then call a plumber. A burst pipe almost always needs professional repair, and the sooner a pro is on the way, the less secondary damage you'll face.

None of this replaces a licensed professional. When you want a real pro on the job, PlumbDispatch24 connects you with an independent, locally licensed plumber 24/7 — free to you, and we never quote prices. The local pro handles diagnosis and the estimate directly.