Emergency guide · Direct answer first

Burst Pipe: The First Five Things to Do

If a supply pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve immediately, then shut off power to the affected zone only if the floor is dry enough to do it safely. Move valuables out of the water path, photograph the damage, and call a restoration company right away. A burst supply line pushes pressurized water for minutes, and the hidden damage can exceed the visible flood before you finish reading this page.

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Do this right away

The first steps, in order

01

Shut off the main valve

Locate the main water shutoff, usually where the supply enters the house. For a toilet or appliance line, use the fixture's own shutoff valve.
02

Open a nearby fixture to relieve pressure

Opening a faucet at the lowest or highest point can drain the line and slow the leak while you work.
03

Avoid electrical contact

Do not step into water near outlets or appliances. Have power to the affected zone turned off from a safe location.
04

Save what you can

Move electronics, papers, and furniture away from the water, and place towels at doorways to slow spread.
05

Call restoration immediately

Burst pipes need same-day extraction and cavity drying. The crew traces where water traveled, not just where it pooled.

Why do pipes burst?

The most common cause is freezing: water expands as it freezes, and the ice plug can split the pipe even if the pipe itself thaws later. Other causes include age and corrosion, water pressure spikes, and faulty joints. In Michigan and other cold climates, burst pipes are a winter fixture, and they happen in Georgia and Illinois too during hard freezes.

Is a burst pipe covered by insurance?

Sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe is often covered by standard homeowners and business policies, but coverage depends on your policy, exclusions, and carrier determination. Gradual damage from a slow leak that should have been noticed is more often denied. Document the date of the event and the mitigation work; your adjuster will want both.