Burst pipe: what to do in the first hour

Updated October 26, 2026. General information only, not professional advice.

When a pipe bursts, water can pour out much faster than you expect. The first few minutes matter most. Stop the water, keep away from electricity, and then start getting things dry. This guide walks through each step in order.

Step 1: Shut off the water

Turn off the water before anything else.

Find the main shutoff valve. It is often where the water line enters the house, such as in a basement, crawl space, utility room, garage, or near the water heater. In some homes it is in a box near the street or the meter.
Turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is a lever, turn it so the handle sits across the pipe.
Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain water left in the pipes.
If the burst is on one fixture, such as a toilet or sink, there may be a small shutoff valve right behind it.

If you cannot find or turn the main valve, call your water utility or a plumber right away. IBHS advises knowing where your home's water shutoff valve is and how to operate it, so it is worth finding yours before you ever need it.

Step 2: Stay safe around electricity

Water and electricity are a deadly mix.

Do not walk into standing water if it may be touching outlets, cords, appliances or the electrical panel.
Ready.gov warns not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
If you can reach the breaker panel from a dry spot, switch off power to the wet area. If the panel is in the wet area, do not touch it. Call your electric utility or an electrician.
If a ceiling is sagging with water, keep everyone out from under it.

Step 3: Get the water out

Once the water is off and the area is safe:

Mop and towel up what you can.
Use a wet vacuum only if it is rated for water and plugged into a dry outlet away from the water.
Move furniture, rugs, boxes and electronics out of the wet area.
Put aluminum foil or plastic under furniture legs that cannot be moved, to keep stains from soaking into carpet.

Step 4: Start drying fast

Speed matters. The EPA says it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Open windows if the weather allows, and run fans and a dehumidifier.
Pull up wet area rugs and lift wet carpet edges so air can reach underneath.
Open cabinet doors and closets near the leak.
Keep the heat on in winter. Cold, damp rooms dry slowly.

Some materials hold water you cannot see, such as drywall, insulation and carpet pad. If they stay wet past a day or two, they may need to be removed. The EPA notes that porous materials such as carpet and ceiling tiles that become moldy may need to be thrown away.

Step 5: Document the damage

Before you throw anything out:

Take photos and video of the burst pipe, the water and everything that got wet.
Write down when it happened and what you did.
Keep receipts for fans, dehumidifiers, plumbing repairs and cleanup.

Whether a burst pipe is covered depends on your policy and the cause. Only your insurer can say. Contact them early and ask what they need from you.

If the pipe froze

A burst pipe in cold weather often started as a frozen pipe. If other faucets only trickle, other pipes may be frozen too. The Red Cross says to keep the faucet open while you warm the frozen section with an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a space heater kept away from anything that can burn, or towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or any open flame. If you cannot find or reach the frozen spot, call a plumber.

To help prevent it next time, IBHS advises keeping the thermostat at least 55°F, even when no one is home, and insulating pipes in attics, crawl spaces and along outside walls.

When to call a pro

Call a plumber to repair the pipe. Call a water damage cleanup company if water soaked into walls, floors or ceilings, spread to more than one room, reached a basement, or if you cannot get things dry within a day or two. They can use moisture meters and drying equipment to find water you cannot see.

Before you hire anyone, verify their license where your state requires one and ask for proof of insurance. Get a written estimate that describes the work, and keep copies of everything for your records.