A burst pipe can release more than 100 gallons of water in under ten minutes. The difference between a wet floor and a gutted living room usually comes down to what happens before the plumber arrives. Here is exactly what to do, in order.
Quick tip: Find your main shut-off valve today and show everyone in your household where it is. In a real emergency you will not have time to search for it.
Step 1: Stop the Water
Go straight to the main shut-off valve. In most homes it sits near the water meter, in the garage, or where the main line enters the house. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If the leak is coming from a single fixture, the small valve under that fixture may be enough.
Step 2: Protect Your Home
With the water off, spend the next few minutes limiting the damage.
Open the lowest faucet in the house so the remaining water drains out
Switch off the water heater to protect the heating element
Move furniture, rugs, and electronics away from the water
Take photos and a short video for your insurance claim
Step 3: Call Us, Any Hour
SwiftRooter answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and our average emergency response is under an hour. Tell us what you see and we will talk you through anything urgent while the truck is on its way.
What Not to Do
Do not use electrical outlets or appliances near standing water. Do not try to patch a split pipe with tape; the pressure will find a way through. And do not run the heating or air conditioning if water may have reached the ducts.
