Burst Pipe in Your Home? Here's What to Do First

 A busted pipe can become a significant home emergency in just a matter of minutes.

A busted pipe will flood you, whether it’s in the middle of the night, in the blustery cold of winter, or when you’re out of town. Water can flow throughout floors, walls, and ceilings, soak furniture, and cause mold.

The most important thing is to act quickly and safely.

If you’ve got a burst pipe in your home, here’s what to do before the pros get there.

1. Turn Off the Water Main

 Your priority should be stopping the water if you can do so safely. Find your home’s master water shutoff and turn it off. Knowing the location of this valve before an emergency can be a time saver. If you’re unable to find the shutoff valve or cannot safely get to it, call an emergency service. The more lingering water there is, the more chance it has to permeate into flooring, drywall, insulation, and elsewhere in the property.

2. Avoid electrical dangers

Water and electricity make a deadly combination. If water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, extension cords, the electrical panel, or other electrical equipment, do not walk through the water or attempt to handle electrical equipment yourself. Toronto in particular directs homeowners to deal with electrical hazards when basements flood, including reaching out to the relevant utility provider when water has seeped into electrical spaces. If you don’t know whether an area is safe, avoid it and call a trained professional.

3. Relocate Valuables if Safe

If the affected area is safe to enter, move furniture, electronics, documents, and other valuable belongings away from the water.

For instance, you might find yourself able to shift.

Electronics

Important documents

Small furniture

Rugs and carpets

Personal belongings

Items stored on the floor

Don’t endanger yourself to save stuff. Safety should always come first.

4. Photograph and Videotape the Damage

Before cleanup starts, take a moment and record what just occurred.

Take photos and videos of:

The burst or damaged pipe

Standing water

Wet floors and walls

Damaged furniture

Damaged personal belongings

Affected rooms and areas

This record could come in handy when talking to your insurance company.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada suggests recording property damage with photos, notes and a list of damaged items when safe. It also suggests holding on to any cleanup-related receipts and getting in touch with your insurance contact ASAP.

5. Contact Your Insurance Company

Following a significant water damage event, reach out to your insurance company and inquire about your coverage and claims procedure.

Never assume that all types of water damage are included. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says that sudden and accidental water damage from indoor plumbing is usually covered by home insurance, but coverage varies by policy and circumstances.

Your insurance agent can describe your particular coverage, deductible, exclusions and claim conditions.

6. Don’t wait for the water to “dry on its own”

This is one of the top mistakes homeowners can make. Just because you don’t see standing water anymore doesn’t mean there’s not moisture under flooring, within walls, behind cabinets and in other hidden nooks and crannies. That secret dampness can lead to more water damage and mold.

Professional restoration companies employ specialised equipment like water extraction machines, air movers and dehumidifiers to extract moisture and assist drying any affected areas properly.

7. Don’t Do-It-Yourself Cleanup IF The Damage Is Extensive

A little clean water can often be handled with simple cleanup. But a major burst pipe is different.

If you have standing water everywhere, wet drywall, buckled floors, water inside the walls, contaminated water or electrical hazards – you may need professional assistance. Attempting to control significant water damage without professional tools simply allows moisture to linger, thereby exacerbating the issue.

8. Call an Emergency Water Damage Restoration Company

If your house is severely water damaged, bringing in the pros fast can help minimise additional damage.

An expert restoration team can evaluate the impacted zones, extract standing water, dry the property, and assist in bringing back damaged areas. For homeowners in Toronto and the GTA, On Call Restoration provides emergency property restoration services for water and other types of property damage.

When you’ve got a water emergency, don’t let the damage worsen.

What does professional water damage restoration entail?

When a restoration team arrives, the process can be a bit lengthy.

Assessment

The crew surveys the impacted spaces and finds both visible and potential moisture damage.

Water Extraction

We extract standing water with professional extraction equipment.

Drying

Air movers and dehumidifiers will help remove residual moisture from affected areas.

Moisture Monitoring

Experts can track this moisture to see if impacted materials are drying as they should.

Cleaning and Restoration

Depending on the severity, affected supplies might need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.

The specific restoration steps are determined by the origin, degree, and extent of the water damage.

Has your home suffered a burst pipe, flood, or major water damage? Don’t let it fester.

Call: 437-600-9271

FAQ

What do I do first if a pipe bursts in my house?

If it’s safe, turn off the main water supply first. Then avoid electrical dangers.

How fast can a burst pipe cause water damage?

Water damage starts the moment a pipe leaks water into a property. Severity is a function of how much water was released, where the pipe broke, and how quickly the water is stopped.

Should I call a restoration company for a burst pipe?

If you have major standing water, soaked building materials, water inside walls or substantial property damage, professional water damage restoration may be required.