Burst Pipe? Exactly What to Do in the First 10 Minutes

A burst pipe can flood a room fast. Here's the exact order of steps to stop the water, limit damage, and when to call an emergency plumber.

Step 1: Shut off your main water valve

The single most important move is to stop the water. Your main shut-off is usually where the water line enters the house — near the meter, in a basement, garage, or an outside box. Turn it fully clockwise. If you can't find it, shutting the valve behind the nearest fixture helps until a plumber arrives.

Step 2: Drain the remaining pressure

Open the lowest cold faucet in the house (often a basement or ground-floor tap) and flush a toilet to clear water still sitting in the pipes. This reduces how much leaks out of the break.

Step 3: Kill power near any water

If water is anywhere near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, switch off power to that area at the breaker before you go near it. Never stand in water to reach a panel.

Step 4: Contain and document

Move valuables, lay down towels and buckets, and take photos and video of everything — insurers want to see the damage. A pipe repair clamp or self-fusing silicone tape can temporarily slow a small break.

When to call an emergency plumber

If water keeps spreading, you can't find the shut-off, or the burst is behind a wall, call a licensed 24-hour plumber now. Every minute of standing water raises the repair and restoration bill.