What to do when a pipe bursts in your home

1. Check for hazards before walking into the room

Do not step into standing water around outlets, cords or appliances. Do not cross a wet floor to reach the breaker panel, and do not touch electrical equipment while wet. Ask the utility or a qualified electrician to make the area safe. Keep children and pets out, and stay clear of bulging ceilings. Leave the area and call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

Sources: American Red Cross: checking home utilities

2. Stop the water only if the shutoff is safe to reach

For a damaged supply pipe, close the home’s main water shutoff if you know where it is and can reach it safely. A nearby fixture valve may stop a clearly identified appliance or toilet supply leak. Do not force a stuck valve or enter a flooded crawlspace to find one; call a plumber or your water provider for help.

If freezing caused the break, do not use a torch or other open flame to thaw piping. A plumber should locate the damage and check the line before water is restored. Photograph the failed connection if it can be done safely.

Sources: American Red Cross: checking home utilities · American Red Cross: frozen pipe safety

3. Arrange both pipe repair and cleanup

Stopping the leak does not remove the water already inside walls or floors. Tell the plumber where you see the leak and whether the main is off. When you call Hand in Hand Restoration, have your address, the time you noticed the problem and a list of affected rooms ready. Mention any water below the floor or on another story.

We answer water-damage calls 24/7 and confirm crew availability for your location. Our work includes water extraction, moisture checks, structural drying and the repairs that follow. Pipe and appliance repairs are handled by the appropriate repair provider.

4. Save a clear record without delaying safe action

Take wide photos of each affected room and closer photos of visible damage from a safe position. Write down when you discovered the leak, who stopped it and the steps already taken. Keep receipts for emergency work, and contact your insurer promptly for its claim instructions.

Coverage depends on the cause and policy. We can provide photos, moisture readings and a written scope for the adjuster; your insurer determines what is covered. Do not risk your safety or leave an active leak running just to wait for photographs or an inspection.

5. Check what is wet beneath the surface

A floor can look dry while moisture remains under it. Cleanup should include checking affected walls, flooring, insulation and subfloor, then deciding what can be dried and what needs removal. Moisture readings guide equipment use and the point at which repairs can start.

EPA guidance calls for prompt drying of water-damaged materials, ideally within 24–48 hours, to reduce mold risk. That is an early-action target, not a promise that every structure will finish drying in two days. Avoid closing walls or installing new flooring over materials that have not been checked.

Sources: EPA: moisture and mold prevention

Before the next leak

Label the water shutoff, make sure household members know its location and keep access clear. Consider leak alarms near appliances and water heaters, and ask a plumber about damaged supply lines or freeze-prone piping. For an unoccupied home, arrange regular checks so a small leak is less likely to go unnoticed.