A burst pipe or a let-go supply line can put hundreds of gallons of water into your home fast. What you do in the next few minutes really matters. Here's the order to do it in.
1. Shut off the water at the main
Go straight to your home's main water shut-off valve and turn it off. This stops the flow at the source and is the single most important thing you can do right now. It's worth knowing where that valve is before you ever need it.
2. Cut power to the area if it's safe
If water is near outlets or your electrical panel and you can reach the breaker without standing in water, shut off power to the affected area. If you can't do it safely, stay clear and call a professional.
3. Document before you clean up
Take photos and video of the burst, the water, and any damaged belongings before you start moving things. This is the foundation of your insurance claim.
4. Remove water and valuables if you safely can
Mop or towel up what you can, and move valuables and documents out of the water. Don't rely on household fans to dry walls and floors, they can spread moisture and contamination.
5. Call for cleanup, and a plumber
Call a 24/7 restoration team to extract the water and dry the structure before mold sets in, and a licensed plumber to repair the pipe itself. Acting fast on both fronts is what keeps a burst pipe from becoming a gut-and-rebuild job.