The First 60 Minutes After a Burst Pipe: What to Do (and Not Do)

A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes. What you do in the first hour has an outsized effect on how much damage — and cost — you end up facing. Here is a clear plan.

1. Shut Off The Water

Find your main shut-off valve (usually near where the water line enters the house, in the basement, crawlspace, or near the water heater) and turn it clockwise until it stops. If you cannot find it, shut off the affected fixture’s local valve. Knowing this location before an emergency is one of the best things you can do as a homeowner.

2. Cut power to affected areas

Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If water is near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, switch off power to those areas at the breaker — but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.

3. Move what you can

Lift furniture, electronics, and anything valuable off wet floors. Slide foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to stop staining and wicking. Get documents and keepsakes to a dry area.

4. Start removing standing water — safely

Towels, a wet/dry vacuum, and buckets help, but don’t exhaust yourself or wade into water near electrical hazards. The goal is to slow the spread, not to fully dry the structure — that requires professional equipment.

What not to do

• Don’t wait to “see if it dries.” Hidden moisture behind walls and under floors is what leads to mold and structural damage.
• Don’t use a household fan and assume it’s enough. Drying a structure properly needs commercial air movers and dehumidifiers with moisture monitoring.
• Don’t throw everything away yet. Many items can be restored, and your insurer will want documentation first.

Document everything

Take photos and video of the damage before cleanup progresses. This is the foundation of a smooth insurance claim.

When you’re ready, call a certified restoration team. At DryVantage we strive to arrive within 60 minutes across Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William counties to take it from there — from soaked to secured.