What To Do When a Pipe Bursts
The first few minutes matter most. Here's what to do, in order.
A burst pipe is one of the more dramatic plumbing emergencies, mostly because it's fast — water keeps flowing until something stops it. Acting in the right order in the first few minutes limits how much damage builds up while you wait for help.
Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Supply
This is the single most important action. Every fixture and pipe in the house is fed from this one valve, and shutting it off stops the burst pipe from continuing to release water, regardless of where in the house it failed.
Step 2: Address Electrical Safety
If water is pooling near outlets, appliances, or a breaker panel, shutting off power to that area — or the whole house if unsure — is a reasonable precaution before doing anything else in the space.
Step 3: Contain and Document
Towels, buckets, and anything else on hand can help contain standing water while you wait. Photographing the damage before cleanup begins is useful if you need it for insurance purposes later.
Step 4: Get the Pipe Repaired
Once the immediate flooding is under control, the actual repair usually involves cutting out the failed section of pipe and replacing it, followed by a pressure test to confirm the fix holds.