The First 24 Hours After a Burst Pipe: What to Do Before Help Arrives

1. Shut off the water

Find your main water shutoff valve (commonly near the water meter, in a basement, crawlspace, or utility closet) and turn it off before doing anything else. If you can't locate it or it won't turn, shutting off the valve at the fixture closest to the leak is the next best option.

2. Cut power to affected areas if there's any risk

If water is pooling near outlets, light fixtures, or an electrical panel, shut off power to that area at the breaker — don't walk through standing water to reach a breaker panel that's in the water's path. If you're unsure, treat it as unsafe and wait for help.

3. Stop the spread, don't start the repair

• Move furniture, rugs, and boxes off wet flooring where it's safe to do so
• Use towels or a wet vacuum to pull up standing water if you have one on hand
• Open windows or run fans to start air movement, but don't expect this to fully dry the structure
• Photograph the damage before you move or remove anything — this matters for an insurance claim

4. Call your insurer and submit a request

Report the loss to your homeowners insurance as soon as it's safe to do so — many policies have time-sensitive notice requirements. From there, submit the details of what happened so it can be routed to a local water damage contractor who can assess extraction and drying needs in person.

“It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.”

That 24-48 hour window is the reason speed matters more than perfection here. You don't need to fully dry your home yourself — you need to stop the water, protect what you can, and get a professional assessment started before that window closes.