4 Steps to Take When a Pipe Bursts

A burst pipe can quickly cause water damage to walls, flooring, furniture, and personal belongings. Whether the break is caused by freezing temperatures, corrosion, age, or accidental damage, acting quickly can help limit repairs and protect your home.

At Bob Oates Sewer and Rooter, we’re proud to serve our community, and eager to pass along DIY advice to homeowners so their plumbing stays happy and healthy.

In a previous post, we explained why you shouldn’t ignore leaky pipes. And we’ve talked in great detail about how to fix a broken sewer pipe underneath your home.

Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter Pipe Lining Division trailer featuring the company’s Poopy the Plunger mascot and Registered Side Sewer Contractor branding.

Today, we’re covering the four steps to take should a pipe burst inside your home. Follow these four steps to minimize damage and safely address the problem until permanent repairs can be made.

Note: whenever there’s an emergency plumbing situation, it’s best to immediately call the professionals. But armed with a little knowledge, and when it’s not an emergency, there’s no reason why any homeowner can’t take action as long as they feel comfortable doing so.

OK, let’s get to it!

1. Stop Water Flowing Through the Pipes

First thing, turn off the water flow when you suspect a pipe has broken, even if you don’t know exactly where the water is exactly coming from. You’ll find the stop tap on the water main. It is typically located under the kitchen sink or where the main service pipe connects to your house.

Every family member should know the location of the main water shut-off valve in case of emergencies.

Once the main water switch is off, you’ll need to drain the pipes. To do this, run the cold water on all the faucets. Be sure to flush each toilet at least once. Shut off the hot water heater. Once the hot water system is off, go back to each faucet and run the hot water to drain that supply.

When there is no more running tap water, the leak will stop.

2. Locate the Burst Pipe and Inspect the Damage

After draining all the excess water, locate the burst pipe. Inspect the damage and consider where the pipe is located before you run off to the home improvement store.

Regardless of the damage or size of the break, a major water pipe will take more time and effort to replace because it holds more water. And larger pipes lead to additional connections, as opposed to a single pipe under the bathroom sink.

Small leaks can sometimes be temporarily contained using pipe repair clamps, repair tape, or other approved plumbing repair products. These should be viewed as temporary solutions until a permanent repair can be completed.

3. Repair the Burst Pipe

For Smaller Breaks

Fixing a rupture or crack in non-main pipes is usually fairly straightforward, but it can become expensive depending on the mending material you choose.

Here is an inexpensive repair for small cracks and water breaks that also gives you superior hold.

• Start with an extra-long length of ordinary garden hose and two or three hose clamps or similar grips that produce extreme constriction.
• Measure the fissure or crack and cut the garden hose about ten inches longer than needed to fill the broken area.
• Next, slice the garden hose so you can slip it over the crack or burst in the water pipe.
• Using the hose clamps or similar brackets, hold the hose portion over the busted area and compress it as tight as it will go.
• Test your repair by turning on the water.

For Larger Breaks

If the break is larger, use a hacksaw to cut away the portion of the pipe that’s busted. Be sure to cut it about an inch larger on either side of the rupture.

When replacing the missing piece of pipe, use pipe spacers and sealant, but do not tighten it too tight. The reason for this is when a compression nut is too tight it causes an “ovaling effect” that leads to further leaking.

If you tightened the compression nut too much and the repair ovals, start with another compression nut.

4. Bring in a Professional Drying Crew

If the water from the burst pipe is on the walls or ceilings as well as the floor, we suggest you contact a professional water restoration company.

Simply using fans and open windows to dry a soaked area is an invitation to mold, mildew, and even serious illness for your family. You will also want to shut off the electrical power to that area of the house as a precaution against shocks.

Just like there are things we recommend you should never do to pipes, the team at Bob Oates always emphasizes taking the proper steps after repairs are made to ensure a healthy home.

A Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter technician arrives at a Seattle-area home for a residential plumbing and sewer service appointment.

Need Help With a Burst Pipe in Greater Seattle?

A burst pipe can quickly become a major disruption, but acting fast can help minimize damage and speed up repairs.

If you’re dealing with a leaking or burst pipe, the team at Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter can help. We provide professional plumbing repairs throughout the Greater Seattle area and can diagnose the cause of the failure, repair damaged piping, and inspect the rest of your plumbing system for potential issues.

We also offer sewer camera inspections, professional drain cleaning, and emergency plumbing services to help keep your home’s plumbing system operating safely and efficiently.

Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule service or request assistance with a burst pipe.

Our locally dispatched crews serve homes and businesses across King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties and all surrounding service areas, including:

• Ballard
• Bellevue
• Federal Way
• Fremont
• Greenwood
• Kent
• Lynnwood
• Magnolia
• Maple Leaf
• Phinney Ridge / Green Lake
• Queen Anne
• Renton
• Seattle
• Shoreline
• Tacoma
• Wallingford
• West Seattle

FAQs

What should I do first when a pipe bursts?

Turn off your home’s main water shut-off valve to stop additional water from entering the damaged pipe.

Can a burst pipe be repaired without replacing it?

Small leaks can sometimes be temporarily contained, but many burst pipes require replacement of the damaged section for a permanent repair.

Should I call a plumber for a burst pipe?

If the damage is significant, the leak cannot be controlled, or water has affected walls, ceilings, or flooring, professional plumbing service is recommended.

Can a small burst in a pipe still cause water damage?

Yes. Even a relatively small leak can damage drywall, flooring, insulation, and personal belongings if not addressed quickly.