Complete Guide: What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your House

What to do when a pipe bursts in your house comes down to one move first: shut off the main water valve. Then switch off electricity to any wet area only if you can reach the breaker without standing in water, open faucets to drain the lines, and call a plumber. Photograph the damage before you clean up. Every minute of flowing water adds to the damage.

What to do when a pipe bursts in your house: do these first, in this order

1. Shut off the main water valve. It is usually where the water line enters the house, often in a basement, garage or utility room, or outside near the water meter. A lever handle (ball valve) turns a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe. A round wheel (gate valve) turns clockwise until it stops. Find yours now, before you ever need it.
2. Stay away from electricity. If water is reaching outlets, appliances, light fixtures or the breaker panel, do not touch them. Switch power off at the panel only if you can reach it dry and without standing in water. If you cannot, call your electric utility or an electrician.
3. Drain the system. With the main off, open a faucet at the lowest point and one at the highest to empty the remaining water from the pipes.
4. Turn off the water heater. Once the water is off, the tank can drain and run dry. Switch an electric heater off at its breaker and set a gas heater to pilot or off.
5. Stop the spread. Lift or move furniture, roll up rugs, and remove standing water with towels, mops or a wet and dry vacuum. Keep a vacuum away from any wet electrical equipment.
6. Document everything. Take photos and video of the burst pipe, the water, and every damaged item before you move or clean it. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
7. Make the calls. Call a licensed plumber for the repair, then your insurer. Damage from a sudden burst is often covered, but your policy decides, so ask before you throw anything away.

If a frozen pipe burst

Water often does not leak until the ice melts, so leaks can appear hours later. Shut off the main as soon as you find a split or a frozen section. Do not thaw pipes with an open flame. Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces, attics and garages are the usual victims.

Dry it out fast

Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials, so drying speed matters more than anything else you do after the leak is stopped. Run fans and a dehumidifier, open windows when the air outside is drier than inside, and pull up soaked carpet padding. Wet drywall and insulation often need to come out. If the water spread beyond a small area or reached a ceiling or wall cavity, a restoration company with moisture meters will finish the job faster and more completely than fans alone. Our guide to what to do when your basement floods covers cleanup and drying in detail.

How to tell a pipe has burst

You may hear hissing or rushing water behind a wall, see a sudden drop in water pressure, find a ceiling stain or a warm, damp patch of floor, or notice the water meter moving while every tap is off.

Who is responsible for the repair?

Inside your home, the plumbing is normally the owner's responsibility, and a renter should tell the landlord right away. The water main under the street is the utility's. The stretch between the meter and your house varies by city, so check with your water utility if the break is outside.

After the repair

Ask the plumber what failed, such as age, freezing, pressure or corrosion, and whether other sections are likely to follow. A pipe that burst because of old material often means its neighbours are close behind. Our plumbing guides can help you find help in your city.