What to Do When a Pipe Bursts

When a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first, then keep clear of any water near outlets, cords or appliances. Turn off the water heater, open the lowest faucet to drain the lines, and move belongings out of the way. Take photos for insurance, start drying within a day or two, and have a pro repair the pipe.

What should you do the moment a pipe bursts?

Speed matters, but safety comes first. Work through these steps in order.

1. Stay clear of water near electricity

If water is spraying near outlets, light fixtures, cords or appliances, or pooling on the floor around them, don't touch any of them. The CDC says never to turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water (CDC).

• If you can reach your main electrical panel from a dry spot, you can turn off power to the wet area or the whole house.
• If you'd have to walk through water to reach the panel, don't. The CDC says to have an electrician turn it off (CDC).
• If water is coming through a ceiling near a light fixture, stay out from under it.

If you smell gas at any point, leave the house with everyone, and call 911 or your gas utility from outside (AGA).

2. Shut off the main water valve

This stops the flow to the whole house. Fixr says the main shut-off is usually where the water line enters the house (Fixr). Common spots include:

• the basement, near the front wall facing the street;
• a crawl space;
• a garage or utility room, often near the water heater;
• outside, near or inside the water meter box.

Turn a round wheel handle clockwise until it stops. A lever-style ball valve is closed when the handle sits across the pipe, not along it.

If the burst is only at one fixture, like a toilet or sink supply line, you can close the small valve under or behind that fixture instead (Fixr).

Can't find the main valve, or it won't turn? Don't force it, because old valves can snap. Your water utility can often shut off service at the meter or the curb. Call their customer line and say it's an emergency.

3. Turn off the water heater

With the main water off, the water heater isn't refilling. Fixr suggests turning it off for major leaks or burst pipes: switch off the breaker for an electric heater, or set a gas heater's control to "Pilot" or "Off" (Fixr). This protects the heater and keeps hot water from making the situation worse. Only go to the breaker panel if you can reach it from a dry spot.

4. Drain the lines

Open the lowest faucet in the house, like a basement sink or an outdoor spigot, and let the remaining water run out. Fixr notes this relieves pressure in the pipes (Fixr). Flushing toilets once can also help empty the lines.

5. Contain the water and protect your things

• Put buckets and towels under drips.
• Use a mop or wet-dry vacuum on standing water, but only a vacuum you can plug in and use from a dry area, and only if no outlets or cords are wet.
• Move furniture, rugs, electronics and boxes off wet floors (Fixr).
• If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out from under it.

6. Document the damage

Before cleanup, take photos and video of the burst pipe, the water, and anything damaged. Fixr recommends this for insurance claims (Fixr). Keep receipts for anything you buy or pay for.

7. Call a plumber, and your insurer

With the water off, the emergency has slowed down. Call a plumber to repair the pipe, and contact your home insurance company to report the damage. Fixr notes that a standard home insurance policy covers sudden water damage in most cases, though damage from poor maintenance may not be covered and flooding is usually separate (Fixr). Your own policy is the final word.

When you're ready, Bellwick's free check walks you through what happened and shows the likely repair, typical costs and questions to ask. Check my plumbing.

Why do pipes burst?

The most common causes include:

• Freezing. Water expands as it freezes. In a pipe, that builds pressure that can split the pipe, often in a different spot from the ice itself. Pipes in unheated spaces and along outside walls are most at risk. The City and Borough of Juneau's utilities team says the most likely frozen spot is where the water line comes out of the ground into the home (City and Borough of Juneau).
• Corrosion and age. Older metal pipes wear thin over time. This Old House says galvanized pipes "are prone to corrosion over time" (This Old House).
• High water pressure. Pressure that's too high puts stress on pipes, joints and supply hoses. This Old House says most homes do best between 30 and 80 psi (This Old House).
• Failed fittings and supply hoses. Hoses to washing machines, toilets and sinks can wear out and split.
• Physical damage. A nail or screw through a pipe during a project, or shifting soil around a buried line.

What if the pipe is frozen but hasn't burst?

If a faucet gives a trickle or nothing at all in freezing weather, a pipe may be frozen. A frozen pipe isn't leaking yet, but it can burst as it freezes or crack and leak as it thaws.

If you see any sign of a leak or crack, don't thaw it. Shut off the main water and call a plumber.

If there's no sign of damage and you can reach the frozen section safely, these steps come from This Old House and the City and Borough of Juneau:

• Open the faucet the frozen pipe feeds, so water can flow as the ice melts (This Old House).
• Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, an electric heating pad, warm towels, or a space heater kept away from anything that can burn (This Old House).
• Keep warming until full pressure returns, then check other faucets for frozen lines too.
• Never use an open flame. This Old House warns never to use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or charcoal stove (This Old House). Juneau's utilities team notes open flames can cause fires, burst pipes or carbon monoxide poisoning (City and Borough of Juneau).
• Don't use electric heaters near standing water, and don't leave them unattended.

Juneau's utilities team advises calling a plumber if you can't find the frozen spot, can't get water flowing, or suspect a burst (City and Borough of Juneau).

How do you know if there's a hidden burst or leak?

Not every broken pipe sprays where you can see it. Signs of a hidden leak include:

• the sound of running water when every tap is off;
• a sudden drop in water pressure;
• a water bill that jumps for no clear reason;
• wet spots on ceilings, walls or floors, or in the yard;
• peeling paint, warped flooring or a musty smell.

Fixr lists several of these as signs of a water main leak (Fixr), and This Old House lists stains, peeling paint and warped floors as signs of leaks inside (This Old House).

A simple meter test: The EPA suggests checking your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading changes, you likely have a leak (EPA WaterSense).

If you think the leak is under a concrete slab, or water seems to be running all the time, see our guide to low water pressure in the whole house, which covers those signs too.

How fast do you need to dry things out?

Quickly. The EPA says it's important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth (EPA).

• Open windows and doors if the weather allows.
• Run fans and a dehumidifier, once the area is safe for electrical equipment. The CDC recommends fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture (CDC).
• Pull up wet rugs and move wet items somewhere they can dry.
• Wet drywall and insulation often need to be cut out and replaced.

The EPA suggests bringing in a professional if mold covers more than about 10 square feet, if there's been a lot of water damage, or if the water was contaminated with sewage (EPA).

When should you call a pro after a burst pipe?

Almost always. Even a small burst usually means cutting out the damaged section and replacing it. Call a plumber right away if:

• water is still leaking after you closed the main valve;
• you can't find or close the main valve;
• the burst is inside a wall, ceiling or floor;
• water reached outlets, wiring or the electrical panel (call an electrician, too);
• the water came from a sewer or drain line;
• pipes are frozen in more than one spot.

For large amounts of water, a water damage restoration company can extract water and dry the structure.

What will a plumber check?

A plumber will usually:

• find the burst and any other damage along the same pipe;
• check nearby pipes, especially if freezing was the cause;
• replace the damaged section;
• test the house water pressure, since high pressure can contribute to bursts;
• turn the water back on slowly and check for more leaks;
• suggest ways to prevent a repeat, like insulating pipes or adding a pressure regulator.

Ask the plumber to explain what caused the burst. If it was freezing, ask which other pipes are at risk.

How much does it cost to fix a burst pipe?

As of 2026, here are national ranges. Local prices vary.

• Burst pipe repair: $1,000 to $4,000 (This Old House).
• Leaking pipe repair: $150 to $450 (This Old House).
• Ceiling pipe repair: $500 to $2,500 (This Old House).
• Main water line leak: $500 to $4,000 (This Old House).
• Emergency plumbing services: $215 to $655, with many homeowners paying around $377 (Fixr).
• After-hours, weekend or holiday rates: $300 to $600 per hour or more (Fixr).

Water damage is a separate cost from the pipe repair:

• Water damage restoration: $1,200 to $5,000 nationally, with an average of $3,000 (Fixr).
• Drywall restoration: $1.50 to $3 per square foot (Fixr).
• Mold remediation: $1,500 to $4,000 (Fixr).
• Ceiling repair: $325 to $1,100 (Fixr).

The fastest way to keep these numbers down is to stop the water quickly and dry things out within a day or two. For general plumbing rates, see our guide to what a plumber costs.

Questions to ask the plumber

• What caused the pipe to burst, and are other pipes at risk?
• Will you replace just the damaged section, or more?
• Is there an emergency or after-hours fee, and how much is it?
• Can I get the price in writing before you start?
• Will you check my house water pressure while you're here?
• How will you get to a pipe inside a wall or ceiling without opening more than needed?
• Can you give me a written description of the cause and repair for my insurance claim?
• Is your work guaranteed, and for how long?
• Are you licensed and insured for this work where I live?

How can you prevent burst pipes?

• Know where your main shut-off is, and make sure it turns. Show everyone in the house.
• Keep the heat on in cold weather. This Old House says no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you're away (This Old House).
• Let faucets drip on very cold nights, and open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls (City and Borough of Juneau).
• Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages and attics, and seal drafts near them.
• Disconnect garden hoses before winter.
• Check your water pressure. A gauge on an outdoor spigot tells you if it's too high.
• Replace old washing machine hoses. Fixr lists stainless steel washer hoses as a prevention step (Fixr).
• Consider a water alarm near the water heater and washing machine.

If the leak is coming from the water heater rather than a pipe, see our guide to a leaking water heater.

The bottom line

When a pipe bursts, stop the water and stay safe: shut off the main valve, keep clear of water near electricity, and turn off the water heater. Then drain the lines, protect your belongings, take photos and call a plumber. Dry things out within 24 to 48 hours to head off mold. Once the pipe is fixed, find out why it burst so it doesn't happen again.

If you want a clearer picture before you call, check my plumbing.