Shut off the water first, at the main shutoff if there's no closer valve, and stay away from anything electrical near the water. Then open a faucet to drain the lines, take photos, and call a plumber to fix the pipe and a restoration company to dry the house.
A burst pipe releases a lot of water quickly, and it doesn't stay where it lands. It runs under walls, soaks carpet pad and drips into the ceiling below. Here's the order that usually works best.
How Do I Shut Off the Water?
Most homes have a main shutoff valve where the water line enters the house. In many homes it's in a basement, utility room or crawl space, near where the line comes in. Turn a round handle clockwise until it stops. A lever-style valve is closed when the handle sits across the pipe.
If the break is at a sink, toilet or appliance, there may be a small valve right at the fixture that stops it faster. Once the water is off, open a faucet on the lowest level of the house to drain what's left in the lines. If you can't find the valve or it won't turn, call a plumber right away and tell them that.
Is It Safe to Walk in the Water?
Not if outlets, cords, appliances or the electrical panel could be wet. Don't touch anything electrical, and don't go into a room where water is near power. Call an electrician or your electric utility first.
Watch the ceiling, too. Drywall holding water can sag and come down, so keep people and pets out from under any bulge or heavy drip.
What Should I Document Before Cleaning Up?
Photos and video of the broken pipe, the water and every affected room
The date and approximate time you found it
Damaged belongings, before you move or throw anything out
What the plumber says caused the break, and their invoice
This record helps your insurance company understand what happened. Whether the damage is covered depends on your policy and the cause, so confirm that with your agent. Our post on whether homeowners insurance covers water damage goes into more detail.
What Can I Do While I Wait for Help?
Move what you can. Get rugs, boxes and small furniture off wet floors if it's safe to do so.
Protect what you can't move. Slide foil or plastic under furniture legs so finishes don't stain the carpet.
Pick up small amounts of water on hard floors with towels or a wet/dry vac, but only if nothing electrical is in the water.
Leave the ceiling alone. Don't poke holes in sagging drywall yourself.
Household fans can help a little with surface water, but they won't dry the inside of a wall or the pad under the carpet.
Who Do I Call: a Plumber or a Restoration Company?
Usually both. The plumber repairs the pipe. A restoration company deals with the water that already got out: extraction, removing only materials that can't be dried, and drying the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers. If the pipe broke inside a wall or ceiling, the plumber may need an opening to reach it, and we can work around that.
The water you can see is rarely all of it, and a moisture reading tells the real answer. We check walls, floors and ceilings with meters, including the rooms next to and below the break, and we keep taking readings until the materials are back to normal. Our burst pipe water damage page explains that process, and emergency water removal covers the extraction step.
A pipe burst in your home? Call Blue Valley at (913) 395-8488. Open 7 AM–9 PM, every day.
Why Do Pipes Burst Around Here?
In Lenexa, Shawnee, Overland Park and nearby cities, hard freezes are a common cause, especially for pipes along exterior walls, near garages or in unheated spaces. Not every break is weather related, though. Fittings wear out, and the supply lines to sinks, toilets and appliances age. If you want to get ahead of next winter, see how to prevent frozen pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should drying start after a pipe bursts?
As soon as the water is stopped. The EPA recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold growth, and wet materials keep soaking up water the longer they sit.
Will I have to replace drywall after a burst pipe?
Not always. Drywall wet with clean water can sometimes be dried in place if drying starts quickly. Moisture readings show which sections can be saved. See can wet drywall be saved.
Can I turn the water back on after the plumber leaves?
Yes, once the plumber has repaired the pipe and checked for other leaks. Drying equipment doesn't need the water off.
Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but it depends on your policy and the cause. Call your agent to confirm. We document the damage and the drying with photos and readings your adjuster can use.
Call our restoration team
If a pipe burst in your home, call Blue Valley at (913) 395-8488. Open 7 AM–9 PM, every day. We're IICRC Certified & Fully Insured. We'll measure what's wet, explain what needs to happen and give you a free evaluation. We serve Lenexa, Overland Park and nearby cities; see water damage restoration in Lenexa.