It is the middle of the night and you hear water where water should not be. Do not panic and do not start mopping yet. Three quick steps, in this order, stop most of the damage. Then you can get it dried and fixed properly.
The first three steps
- Shut off the main water valve. This stops the water. Turn the valve handle until it is fully closed (a lever handle usually turns a quarter turn; a round wheel turns clockwise until it stops).
- Turn off power to wet rooms. If water is near outlets, cords, appliances or the panel, switch off those rooms at the breaker panel, standing somewhere dry. If you cannot reach the panel safely, stay out of the wet area.
- Take photos and video. Before you move or throw away anything, record the water, the damage and the pipe. It helps your plumber and any insurance claim.
Tip: Find your main shut-off today, before you ever need it. Make sure it turns, and show everyone in the house where it is.
Where the main shut-off usually is
| Home type | Where to look |
|---|---|
| House with a basement or crawl space | On the wall where the water line comes in, often near the front of the house |
| House on a slab | A utility or laundry room, near the water heater, or in the garage |
| Any house | A second shut-off at the meter, usually in a box near the street |
| Apartment or condo | Under sinks and behind toilets for each fixture; ask your manager where the unit shut-off is |
Then: get it dry in a day or two
- Soak up standing water and move rugs, furniture and boxes out of the wet area
- Run fans and a dehumidifier, and open windows if the air outside is dry
- Wet drywall and insulation often need to be cut out so the wall can dry
- Pull up wet carpet pads; many floors can be saved if they are dried quickly
Mold can start within a day or two, so drying fast matters more than anything else after the water is off.
Who to call
- A plumber to find and fix the pipe, and to check the rest of the line
- A water damage and drying pro for bigger leaks, ceilings, or water inside walls and floors
- Drywall, flooring and painting pros to put the rooms back together once everything is dry
What to put in your post
- Where the pipe burst and which rooms got wet
- Whether the water is off and the area is drying
- What got damaged: ceiling, walls, floors, cabinets
- Photos of the pipe and the damage
- How soon you need someone
Get bids from local pros on BidHandyman
Post the repair and the drying in one request, and local plumbers and repair pros send you bids. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid. Compare them, message the pros and hire the one you trust, with no obligation. Request a plumber, or read water damage after a storm.