What should I do first when a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve, then cut power to any wet area from a dry position. Open faucets on the lowest level to drain remaining pressure from the lines. Photograph the damage before moving anything, lift furniture and contents out of the water, and then call a plumber for the pipe and a water damage restoration provider for extraction and drying. Call (866) 227-7792 to be connected with an independent local provider.

Who do I call first, a plumber or a restoration company?

Call both, in that order, and don't wait for the first to finish before calling the second. The plumber stops the water; the restoration provider stops the damage. Many households lose a day of drying time by treating them as sequential steps.

How much water damage can a burst pipe cause?

A half-inch supply line can release hundreds of gallons an hour. Water travels along framing and under flooring far beyond the visible wet area, which is why crews meter adjacent rooms and the ceiling below rather than trusting what you can see.

Does insurance cover a burst pipe?

Sudden and accidental pipe bursts are among the most commonly covered water losses on a standard homeowners policy, typically including the resulting damage to building materials and contents. Insurers frequently exclude the cost of repairing the failed pipe itself, and may deny claims tied to long-term seepage or unrepaired maintenance issues.

How long does drying take after a burst pipe?

Most residential jobs run three to five days of active drying with air movers and dehumidifiers, longer where water reached hardwood, plaster or wall cavities. Equipment stays until moisture meter readings on the materials reach a documented dry standard, not until things look dry.

Can I just dry it myself with fans?

For a small spill on a hard surface caught immediately, yes. Once water has been absorbed by drywall, insulation, subfloor or cabinetry, household fans move air but cannot pull enough moisture out of it for materials to release theirs. That mismatch is what produces mold two weeks later in a room that felt dry.

Blog · 9 min read · Updated September 2026

Burst Pipe? What to Do in the First Hour

A supply line letting go is one of the few household emergencies where the first sixty minutes genuinely change the final bill. Here's the sequence, in order, without the panic.

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Commercial drying equipment running in a water damaged room

People remember the noise more than the water — a hiss behind a wall, or a sound like rain inside the house. Whatever tipped you off, the response is the same, and it starts with a valve, not a phone.

Minute 0–5: stop the water

Main shutoff. Usually where the water line enters the house — basement wall, crawlspace, garage, or a utility closet. Turn clockwise until it stops. If you've never located yours, do it tonight and tag it.
Open the lowest faucets. This drains residual pressure so the break stops feeding.
Cut power to wet areas at the breaker, from a dry standing position. Never reach into water for a cord or a panel.
Shut off the water heater if the supply is off for long — an empty tank with the burner running is a real hazard.

Minute 5–20: limit the spread

Photograph and video everything before you move it. Insurers want the "before."
Move contents up and out — books, electronics, rugs, anything with feet that will wick.
Put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs so stain doesn't transfer to carpet.
Pull up loose rugs; leave wall-to-wall carpet in place for the crew to extract properly.
Don't open walls yourself. Don't run the HVAC if water reached ducts or registers.

Minute 20–60: the two calls

1. A plumber

To repair the failed section and pressure-test the rest. If the break was freeze-related, ask them to look at insulation and any other lines running through unheated space — freezes rarely target only one spot.

2. A water damage restoration provider

To extract, remove unsalvageable material, and set drying equipment. Make this call in parallel with the plumber, not after. If the water passed through a ceiling on the way down, our ceiling stain guide explains what happens to that drywall.

3. Your insurer, once the water is off

Report it the same day. Ask specifically whether they require a preferred vendor or whether you may choose your own provider — in most states you may. Keep every receipt, including hotel and laundry if the home is unlivable. The insurance guide covers the language that decides these claims.

What proper drying looks like

A crew maps the moisture with meters and often a thermal camera, then removes what can't be saved: carpet pad, wet insulation, swollen laminate, and drywall to a line above the water level. Air movers go against wet surfaces, dehumidifiers pull the released moisture out of the air, and readings get logged daily. Equipment leaves when the numbers say dry — typically three to five days, longer for hardwood or plaster.

Pricing follows category, area and drying days rather than a flat rate; see the 2026 cost breakdown.

Preventing the next one

Insulate pipes in attics, crawlspaces, garages and exterior walls.
In a deep freeze, let a faucet trickle and open cabinet doors under sinks.
Keep the house above 55°F even when away, and shut the main off for long trips.
Replace braided supply lines to toilets and sinks on a schedule.
Consider an automatic leak-detection shutoff valve on the main.
Watch water pressure — over about 80 psi shortens the life of everything.

To talk with a provider serving your area, call (866) 227-7792. All contractors/providers are independent; licensing requirements and availability vary by location.

Questions homeowners ask most

What should I do first when a pipe bursts?: Shut off the main water valve, then cut power to any wet area from a dry position. Open faucets on the lowest level to drain remaining pressure from the lines. Photograph the damage before moving anything, lift furniture and contents out of the water, and then call a plumber for the pipe and a water damage restoration provider for extraction and drying. Call (866) 227-7792 to be connected with an independent local provider.
Who do I call first, a plumber or a restoration company?: Call both, in that order, and don't wait for the first to finish before calling the second. The plumber stops the water; the restoration provider stops the damage. Many households lose a day of drying time by treating them as sequential steps.
How much water damage can a burst pipe cause?: A half-inch supply line can release hundreds of gallons an hour. Water travels along framing and under flooring far beyond the visible wet area, which is why crews meter adjacent rooms and the ceiling below rather than trusting what you can see.
Does insurance cover a burst pipe?: Sudden and accidental pipe bursts are among the most commonly covered water losses on a standard homeowners policy, typically including the resulting damage to building materials and contents. Insurers frequently exclude the cost of repairing the failed pipe itself, and may deny claims tied to long-term seepage or unrepaired maintenance issues.
How long does drying take after a burst pipe?: Most residential jobs run three to five days of active drying with air movers and dehumidifiers, longer where water reached hardwood, plaster or wall cavities. Equipment stays until moisture meter readings on the materials reach a documented dry standard, not until things look dry.
Can I just dry it myself with fans?: For a small spill on a hard surface caught immediately, yes. Once water has been absorbed by drywall, insulation, subfloor or cabinetry, household fans move air but cannot pull enough moisture out of it for materials to release theirs. That mismatch is what produces mold two weeks later in a room that felt dry.

Keep reading

Not sure who to call first?

One quick call connects you with an independent local provider who handles water damage and mold-related work in your area.

CALL (866) 227-7792