Shut off the main water
Find the main valve where the water line enters the building and turn it clockwise until it stops. A lever valve turns a quarter turn so the handle sits across the pipe.
Burst pipe repair
Burst pipe or water spraying from a pipe? A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons in an hour. Shut off the main water valve now, keep away from wet electrical items, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent plumber does the repair.
Am I in the right place?Yes if a pipe has split, a fitting has blown, or water is spraying or pouring from a wall, ceiling or crawl space.
Is this urgent?Yes, always. Water keeps flowing until the main valve is closed, and it spreads into walls, ceilings and floors.
What do I do next?Close the main shutoff, then call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and where the water is.
If the pipe froze and has not burst yet, see frozen pipe repair. If water has already soaked floors, walls or ceilings, mention it so water damage restoration can be handled too.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
Do these first
Drain the lines
Open the lowest faucet in the building and flush toilets once. That empties pressure from the pipes and reduces how much more leaks out.
Protect people and power
Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances. If the panel is dry, switch off breakers for the wet rooms. Keep out from under a ceiling that is sagging with water.
Photograph the break and the water damage before cleanup. Insurers and providers both ask for it.
Water and electricity
Never touch electrical equipment, cords or the panel while standing in water. If water is reaching the panel, light fixtures or outlets and you cannot reach the panel from a dry spot, leave the area and tell the operator when you call. A ceiling that bulges with water can collapse.
Where burst pipes usually happen
After a hard freeze
Pipes in exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces and garages freeze and split. The leak often starts when the ice thaws.
At fittings and supply lines
Washing machine hoses, toilet and sink supply lines, and old fittings fail under pressure.
Inside a wall or ceiling
Water stains spreading, bubbling paint or dripping light fixtures can mean a hidden break.
Under the slab or in the yard
Warm spots on floors, the meter spinning with everything off, or wet ground can point to a slab leak or main line break.
Fixing the pipe and drying the building are separate
Pipe repair
A plumber cuts out the damaged section, replaces it and pressure-tests the line before water is turned back on.
Drying and restoration
Wet drywall, insulation, cabinets and flooring need to be dried quickly. Materials that stay wet for more than a day or two can start growing mold.
How a plumber usually repairs a burst pipe
- Find the break. The plumber traces the leak, which may mean opening drywall or a ceiling where water is coming through.
- Cut out the damaged section. Split or frozen pipe is removed back to sound material.
- Replace it. A new section is joined with fittings that match the pipe: copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized steel or older polybutylene, which is often replaced rather than patched.
- Pressure test. Water is turned back on slowly and the repair and nearby joints are checked for leaks.
- Dry and repair the building. Wet walls, ceilings and floors still need drying, which is usually a separate restoration job.
Next steps after the pipe is fixed: water damage repair, water extraction and water-damaged drywall repair.
Broken pipe outside, under the slab or frozen
Yard or main line
Soggy ground, pooling water or a meter that spins with every fixture off can mean a break in the service line. See main water line repair.
Under a concrete slab
Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water or cracked flooring can point to a slab leak. See slab leak repair.
Frozen pipe
A frozen pipe often splits as it thaws. Keep a faucet open and never use an open flame. See frozen pipe repair.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- Where the pipe broke, if you can see it
- Whether the main water is now off
- How long water was flowing and which rooms are wet
- Any water near electrical equipment
- Who can let the plumber in
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles burst pipe repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Burst pipe questions
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Turn off the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain pressure. Keep away from wet electrical items, move belongings out of the water, and call 833-877-1717.
Who do I call when a pipe bursts at home?
Shut off the main water valve first, then call a plumber to fix the pipe. If water has soaked floors, walls or ceilings, a water damage restoration company dries the building. You can call 833-877-1717 and describe what is happening.
How do plumbers fix a burst pipe?
They find the break, cut out the damaged section, join in new pipe with fittings that match the existing material, then pressure test the repair before restoring water.
Can I temporarily fix a burst pipe?
A repair clamp or pipe repair tape can slow a small leak until a plumber arrives, but it is not a permanent repair. Keep the main water valve off if you can.
Can I call about a burst pipe at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Why do pipes burst when they freeze?
Water expands as it freezes and builds pressure between the ice and a closed faucet. The pipe splits, and the leak often begins only when the ice thaws.
Can I use the water after the main valve is off?
No. Nothing will flow until the repair is done and the plumber restores water. Keep bottled water for drinking, and use buckets of water to flush toilets if needed.
Is water damage from a burst pipe covered by insurance?
RepairNowUSA cannot answer for your policy. Many policies treat sudden pipe bursts differently from slow leaks. Photograph everything, keep receipts, and contact your insurer or agent.
How fast do I need to dry things out?
As soon as possible. U.S. EPA guidance is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.