Pipe Burst? What to Do in the First Hour

A frozen pipe burst usually announces itself with the sound of running water where there shouldn't be any, or a stain spreading across the ceiling. The next hour decides how much of the house gets wet. Reestorian can connect you with a local provider for burst pipe water damage repair in Littleton, but there are steps only you can take right now.

This is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Every policy differs, so check yours.

What to do when a pipe bursts: the first 10 minutes

• Shut off the main water valve. Denver Water says it is usually in the basement or crawl space, on the wall facing the street. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops. If you can't find it or it won't turn, call your water provider to shut the water off at the meter.
• Make the area safe. If water is near outlets, light fixtures or the electrical panel, turn off power to those circuits. The CDC says never to switch power on or off while standing in water. If the panel is in a wet basement, stay out and call an electrician or the utility.
• Open a faucet low in the house to drain the water left in the pipes and relieve pressure.
• Get people and pets out from under wet ceilings. Wet drywall is heavy and can fall.
• Turn off the water heater if the main is off for long, following its instructions, so it doesn't heat an empty tank.

The next 50 minutes: protect the house and the claim

1. Take photos and video of the broken pipe, the water, ceilings, floors and damaged belongings before you move anything.
2. Move belongings out of wet rooms. Put furniture legs on foil or plastic blocks so wood doesn't stain the carpet.
3. Soak up what you can with towels and a wet vac on hard floors. Don't use a household vacuum on wet carpet.
4. Catch drips under the ceiling with buckets, and keep the room clear.
5. Call your insurer to report the loss. The Colorado Division of Insurance says to notify your insurer as soon as possible.
6. Call for help with the water. A restoration provider can extract water, map moisture and start drying the same day.
7. Call a licensed plumber to repair the pipe. Don't turn the main back on until the repair is done.

What not to do after a frozen pipe burst

How can you tell if a pipe burst?

Sometimes it's obvious: water spraying from a wall or pouring through a ceiling. Often it isn't. Signs a pipe may have burst inside a wall or ceiling:

• The sound of running water when every fixture is off
• A sudden drop in water pressure at faucets
• Water stains or bulging drywall on ceilings and walls
• Puddles under sinks, near the water heater or along baseboards
• A water meter that keeps moving when nothing is running, which Denver Water describes as a sign of a leak
• A higher water bill than usual

What causes pipes to burst?

Freezing is the most common cause in Colorado winters. When ice blocks a pipe, pressure builds between the ice and a closed faucet until the pipe or a fitting fails. Pipes also burst from corrosion in older galvanized steel, from high water pressure, from worn fittings and supply hoses, and from ground movement around buried lines.

Check for more frozen pipes

One frozen pipe often means others are close to freezing. The Red Cross advises checking all faucets in the home. Look for faucets that run slowly, frost on exposed pipes and cold spots along outside walls. If you find another frozen section and it hasn't split, thaw it with gentle heat such as a hair dryer or heating pad, with the faucet open.

How far does the water go?

Water from a burst supply line moves fast and in every direction:

• Down through the ceiling to the floor below
• Sideways under walls and along floor joists
• Up into drywall and baseboards by wicking
• Into insulation, where it can stay wet for days

That's why the visible puddle rarely shows the full damage. A provider uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to map every wet area, which is key to drying it all.

Drying timeline after a pipe burst

Filing the insurance claim in Colorado

The Colorado Division of Insurance says burst pipes and the resulting water damage are generally covered by homeowners and renters policies, including damage to belongings. Its tips:

• Notify your insurer as soon as possible
• Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage
• Get the insurer's instructions before making permanent repairs
• Keep receipts for extra living costs
• Send a complete inventory of damaged property at once rather than piecemeal

Many policies exclude freeze damage if the home wasn't heated, so read your policy. See does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes? for more.

How to prevent the next pipe burst

• Insulate and seal pipes in garages, crawl spaces and outside walls
• Disconnect hoses and close the inside valves to outdoor faucets
• Keep the heat steady and no lower than 55°F when you travel
• Open cabinet doors on outside walls and drip faucets in deep cold
• Install leak sensors or an automatic shutoff valve

The full checklist is in how to prevent frozen pipes.

Related reading: Learn at what temperature pipes freeze, and if water came through the ceiling, read what to do about water damage on a ceiling.

When should you call a water damage professional?

Call as soon as the water is off if:

• Water ran for more than a few minutes
• It came through a ceiling or reached the floor below
• Carpet, pad, insulation or a finished basement got wet
• You can't see where all the water went

Pipe burst in Littleton? Call (928) 394-5135 to reach a local water damage provider.