What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

By the Mercury Team

You hear a clanking sound and then a hiss. You try to turn on the kitchen sink, and only a few drops of water come out. Upon further inspection, you realize that a pipe burst beneath your home due to a cold snap. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, frozen pipes and burst pipes are the leading causes of home damage in the winter.

“A burst pipe can cause extensive damage in a short amount of time, and repairing the pipe itself may be only one part of the problem,” says Bonnie Lee, VP, Claims. “Escaping water can soak floors, walls, and belongings, so acting quickly can help limit the damage and reduce the risk of mold growth.” In the event a pipe bursts in your home, here are the steps you should take, from cleaning to filing a homeowners insurance claim.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Burst Pipe?

In many cases, your homeowners insurance may cover damage from a burst pipe if it’s considered sudden and accidental, like if a pipe bursts due to freezing temperatures. However, damage caused by neglect, such as failing to maintain heat in your home or ignoring ongoing leaks, may not be covered. Coverage varies by policy, so be sure to review your policy at renewal time and ask your insurer what’s covered and what’s excluded if you’re unsure.

How to Help Prevent Burst Pipes in the Future

A few simple, preventive steps can go a long way in avoiding damage and costing you money:

Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages.
Keep your home at a consistent temperature during cold weather, even if you’re away.
Let faucets drip during freezing conditions to relieve pressure in the pipes.
Winterize your plumbing system and disconnect outdoor hoses before temperatures drop.

A burst pipe can escalate quickly, but acting fast can help you limit damage and keep the situation under control. By shutting off the water, addressing safety risks, and documenting the damage, you can also better protect your property and streamline the insurance process. Contact Mercury today to see the homeowners insurance coverage options we offer, or get a fast, free quote.

How to Handle a Pipe Burst

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Immediately

Before you do anything else, you need to cut off your home’s water supply. Find your water main shutoff valve and turn it off there to help limit any further damage. If you don’t know where your shutoff valve is located, look in the basement on the wall closest to the street, check an exterior wall and under any outdoor panels. Firmly twist the valve clockwise to stop the flow of water.

Step 2: Check for Electrical and Other Safety Hazards

It’s tempting to enter a room to assess the damage. But if you have standing water or water near electrical outlets, appliances, or exposed wires, you’ll need to stay away from the area and turn off power to those spaces via your main electrical panel. Also, watch for slippery floors and any structural damage near frozen pipes.

Step 3: Limit Further Water Damage

Now you need to contain the current water, whether it’s creating a dam of towels so that water in your basement doesn’t wick up into the walls, or mopping up water and moving belongings so your nearby rugs and furnishings don’t get wet. Don’t do a full cleanup just yet. This is just mitigating further damage.

Step 4: Document the Damage

Now’s the time to document everything as is. Take photos and videos of the burst pipe, affected areas, and any damaged property before cleanup and repairs begin, as long as it is safe to do so. Having this documentation can make it easier to file a claim. If you have widespread damage, make an inventory of all items that need repair or replacement.

Step 5: Contact Your Insurance Company

Burst pipe insurance isn’t its own thing. Instead, it falls under your homeowners policy. It’s important to remember to report the damage to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Be prepared to share details about what happened, when it occurred, and the extent of the damage. Offer to send the photos and videos as well, so your insurer can point you to the next steps and get the claims process going faster.

Step 6: Start Water Removal and Drying

Quickly removing water and drying out your home is key to preventing further damage, such as mold growth. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and ventilation to speed up the drying process. In more severe cases, your insurance company may dispatch professional water remediation services to dry walls, floors, and hidden spaces.

FAQs

How can you tell if a pipe has burst behind a wall?

If you experience unexplained drops in water pressure, damp or discolored walls, peeling paint, musty odors, or the sound of running water when no fixtures are on, you may have a burst pipe behind a wall. You may also notice higher-than-usual water bills.

Who should you call first when a pipe bursts?

After shutting off the water, contact a licensed plumber to address the broken pipe. Then notify your insurance company to begin the claims process. If you have significant flooding, you may also need a water damage restoration professional.

Can a frozen pipe burst after it starts to thaw?

Yes. Pipes often burst during the thawing process rather than when they’re fully frozen. As ice melts, water flow resumes and pressure builds behind any remaining blockage, which can cause the pipe to crack or rupture.

Mercury Team

The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.