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Few household emergencies unfold as quickly as a burst pipe. One moment everything’s fine, the next water is pouring out, and every minute counts. What you do in those first few minutes, before the plumber arrives, can make the difference between a manageable repair and a flooded, badly damaged home.
The key is to act quickly and calmly. Here’s exactly what to do when a pipe bursts.
Stop the water at the main
Your first and most important job is to shut off the water. Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it off to stop the flow at its source. This single action does more than anything else to limit the damage, so it’s worth knowing where your stop valve is before you ever need it.
With the main off, the flooding stops, buying you time to deal with everything else and wait for the plumber without water continuing to pour in.
Turn off power if water is near it
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is near power points, electrical fittings, or your switchboard, and you can safely do so, turn off the electricity at the switchboard. If you can’t reach it safely without going through water, stay clear and wait for help.
Your safety comes first here. Never touch electrical fittings or the switchboard with wet hands or while standing in water.
Drain the taps
Once the main is off, open your cold taps to drain the remaining water from the system and relieve pressure in the pipes. This helps clear water out of the pipework near the burst and reduces the chance of further leaking while you wait.
Turning off any hot water system and draining hot taps as well can help, particularly if the burst is on the hot water side.
Contain and minimise the damage
With the water stopped, turn your attention to limiting the damage already done. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the affected area, and use towels, buckets, or a mop to soak up and contain water. Getting belongings clear and mopping up promptly reduces the harm to floors, walls, and possessions.
The faster you can dry and clear the area, the less chance there is of lasting damage and mould taking hold later.
If it’s safe and practical, taking a few photos of the damage before you clean up can be useful for any insurance claim later, giving you a clear record of what happened and the extent of the water damage.
Know when it’s an emergency
A burst pipe, significant flooding, or water you can’t stop are genuine plumbing emergencies that warrant calling an emergency plumber straight away rather than waiting for regular hours. Sewage overflows and major leaks fall into the same category.
When water is actively causing damage and you can’t control it, prompt professional help is well worth the callout, both to fix the problem and to prevent further harm to your home.
Be prepared before it happens
The people who handle a burst pipe best are those who prepared for the possibility. Know where your main shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, keep the number of a reliable emergency plumber handy, and make sure others in the home know the basics too.
A burst pipe is stressful, but with quick action to stop the water, protect against electrical hazards, and contain the damage, you can keep a midnight emergency from becoming a disaster while you wait for the plumber to arrive.
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