A burst pipe is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can face — water spreading fast, belongings at risk, and no clear playbook. The good news: the steps you take in the first hour matter more than almost anything else. Here's what to do.
Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Supply
Your first move is to stop the water. Find your main shutoff valve — typically located near the water meter, in a utility room, basement, or crawl space — and turn it off completely. If you're not sure where it is, now is a good time to find out before an emergency happens.
Once the water is off, open a faucet on the lowest floor of your home to drain any remaining pressure from the pipes.
Step 2: Shut Off Electricity to the Affected Area
If water is near electrical outlets, panels, or appliances, do not enter the area until you've cut power to that zone at your breaker box. Water and electricity are a life-threatening combination. When in doubt, shut off power to the entire floor or the whole home.
If you're unsure whether it's safe to approach the breaker box, call an electrician or your utility company before proceeding.
Step 3: Move Valuables and Furniture Out of the Water
If it's safe to enter the affected area, start moving items out of standing water immediately. Prioritize:
- Electronics and appliances
- Documents, photos, and irreplaceable items
- Rugs and upholstered furniture (these absorb water quickly and are expensive to restore)
- Anything stored on the floor
Even a few inches of water can ruin flooring, drywall, and furniture if left sitting. Every minute counts.
Step 4: Document Everything Before Cleanup Begins
Before you move a single piece of furniture or start mopping up water, take photos and video of everything. Walk through the affected area and capture:
- The source of the break (if visible)
- Standing water levels
- All damaged materials — flooring, walls, ceilings, furniture
- Any visible mold or discoloration (if the leak was slow before the burst)
This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Adjusters need to see the damage as it was, not after cleanup has already started.
Step 5: Call a Water Damage Restoration Professional Immediately
This is not a situation where waiting until Monday morning makes sense. The first 24–48 hours are the most important window for preventing mold growth and secondary structural damage. Mold can begin developing in as little as 24–48 hours in wet conditions — and once it takes hold, remediation becomes significantly more expensive.
A professional restoration team will extract standing water, deploy industrial drying equipment, and monitor moisture levels in walls and subfloors — work that household fans and dehumidifiers simply can't match.
SwiftDri is available 7 days a week for emergency water damage response in Bossier City, Shreveport, Minden, and Waskom, TX. If a pipe has burst in your home, don't wait — call us now at (318) 572-4762.