If you come home to a burst pipe, shut off the main water valve before doing anything else, then check for electrical hazards before walking through wet areas. Once the water is stopped and the area is safe, document the damage and start drying the house as quickly as possible.
First Steps at the Door
- Find and close the main water valve
- If water is near the electrical panel or outlets, stay out of those areas
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside
- Look for sagging ceilings and avoid walking under them
Assess the Damage
Walk through the house with a flashlight once it is safe. Check every floor, including the basement. Look for wet walls, stained ceilings, puddles, and warped floors. Water can travel far from the actual break, so the source may not be where the most water is. Check closets and storage areas too, since they are easy to miss.
Document for Insurance
Before cleaning up, take wide photos and close-ups of every affected area, the broken pipe if you can see it, and damaged belongings. Write down when you left, when you returned, and what you found. Reaching your insurer early lets you learn what records they want before anything is thrown out.
Start Drying
Remove standing water with a wet vacuum or mops, starting with the rooms that hold the most. Pull up wet rugs and move belongings to dry rooms. Run fans and dehumidifiers. If water sat for several days, mold may already be growing, and larger cleanup may be needed.
Keep the supply off until the line has been properly repaired, even if the leak seems small.
To repair the broken line and check for other damage, bringing in a plumber promptly is the next step. Before your next trip, you can get help preparing the house while you are gone at (833) 603-1840.