What to Do When a Pipe Bursts (First 10 Minutes Matter Most)

A burst pipe can release 8 to 10 gallons of water per minute. The first 10 minutes after discovery are the difference between a manageable cleanup and a major restoration. Here is exactly what to do — in order — when you find one.

Minute 1: Shut Off the Main Water Valve

This is the single most important thing you can do. Most Long Island homes have a main shut-off valve where the water line enters the home — typically:

• Basement homes: Near the front foundation wall, often within 5 feet of where the supply line enters
• Slab homes: In a utility room, garage, or near the water heater
• Older Long Island homes: Sometimes outside in a meter box near the curb

Look for a brass or chrome valve on the main supply line — usually a quarter-turn ball valve in newer homes or a round-handle gate valve in older homes. Turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe (ball valve) or fully clockwise until it stops (gate valve).

If you cannot find or operate the main, look for a secondary shut-off closer to the leak — under sinks, behind toilets, on supply lines feeding dishwashers and washing machines.

Know where this valve is before an emergency. Locate it tonight. Make sure it operates. This 30-second exercise can save you tens of thousands in damage.

Minute 2: Cut Power to Affected Areas

Water and electricity do not mix. If the leak has reached or is approaching electrical outlets, light fixtures, or appliances:

• Go to your breaker panel
• Turn off breakers for the affected rooms
• If unsure or if water is near the panel itself, turn off the main breaker
• Do not enter standing water if you have any concerns about electrical contact

Minute 3-4: Document Before Cleanup

Take photos and a quick video walkthrough before moving anything or starting cleanup. This documentation matters for your insurance claim. Capture:

• The leak source if visible
• Standing water from multiple angles
• Affected rooms and personal property
• Anything already showing damage (warped wood, sagging ceilings, wet drywall)

This takes 60 to 90 seconds and provides a baseline that protects your claim. Insurance adjusters base settlements on what they can verify.

Minute 5: Call for Emergency Restoration

Call a professional restoration company before you call your insurance carrier. Why?

• Most policies require you to mitigate further damage. Calling restoration first is exactly that.
• Restoration crews can be on-site within 30 minutes — much faster than insurance can dispatch a preferred vendor.
• The faster extraction starts, the less damage spreads, the smaller the claim.

Tell the restoration dispatcher: your address, what happened (burst pipe, supply line), how long water has been there, whether it is still active or under control, and your insurance carrier (we will bill them directly).

Our crews arrive within 30 minutes across Long Island day or night.

Minute 6-8: Move What You Can

While waiting for the crew (and only if it is safe — no electrical hazard, no contaminated water):

• Move electronics and small valuables to a dry area
• Lift wet furniture onto blocks or move it out of standing water
• Remove rugs from wet areas if you can carry them
• Move photo albums, paper documents, and irreplaceable items to dry rooms
• Open windows to vent humid air if weather allows

Do not try to move large furniture, heavy items, or anything that is already saturated. Our crews will handle that on arrival.

Minute 9: Call Your Insurance Carrier

Now call the claims line on your insurance card. Tell them:

• What happened (burst pipe, what room, approximate time)
• What you have done (shut off water, cut power if applicable)
• That a restoration company is on the way
• Your contact information for the adjuster

They will give you a claim number. Save it. Our team will reference it when we communicate with the adjuster.

Minute 10: Wait for the Crew

By this point our crew is en route or close. While you wait:

• Stay out of contaminated water (sewage, dirty rainwater)
• Do not run dehumidifiers or fans yet — wait for our equipment
• Do not attempt to extract water with a shop vacuum (most are not rated for the volume and the water can damage the motor)
• Make a list of damaged personal property while it is fresh

What NOT to Do

• Do not turn the water back on until a plumber confirms repairs are complete
• Do not throw anything away before the adjuster sees it (or before our crew documents it)
• Do not enter standing water with electricity still on
• Do not use household fans as your only drying method — they push surface air but do not dry materials
• Do not assume small leaks are no big deal — even slow leaks can cause major hidden damage

The Difference Fast Response Makes

The same burst pipe addressed in 10 minutes versus 6 hours later can be the difference between a $2,500 cleanup and a $15,000 restoration. Hardwood floors that are wet for 4 hours can usually be dried in place. Hardwood wet for 24 hours often needs replacement. Drywall, framing, insulation — same story.

Water damage timelines are unforgiving. Move fast, follow the steps above, and you give yourself the best possible outcome.