Burst Pipe Water Damage
A burst supply line releases water at full pressure until someone shuts it off. Fast extraction and drying limit how far it spreads into walls, floors and the rooms below.
Burst pipe water damage is damage caused when a pressurized supply line splits, freezes or fails at a fitting and releases clean water into the home. Because the line is under pressure, a single break can release a large amount of water in a short time.
Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to wet rooms if it is safe, then call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration crew for the water. Clean water from a supply line can often be dried in place if work starts quickly.
Common reasons pipes burst
- Freezing: water in pipes along exterior walls, attics and crawl spaces expands and splits the pipe.
- Old fittings and connectors: plastic supply lines, compression fittings and toilet connectors crack with age.
- Corrosion: older galvanized and copper lines develop pinholes over time.
- High water pressure: pressure above what the system is built for strains joints.
What restoration includes
- Water shut off and the pipe repaired by a plumber.
- Moisture mapping to see how far water traveled inside walls and under flooring.
- Water extraction from floors, carpet and pad.
- Structural drying with daily moisture readings.
- Repairs to drywall, flooring and ceilings below.
Burst pipe damage is often covered by homeowners insurance when it is sudden and the home was kept heated. See the insurance claims guide.
Need help right now?
Call or send the form. Your request goes to an independent local restoration company that serves your area, and they contact you to set up an inspection and a written estimate.
Call now(940) 274-9880- Free to call or request an estimate
- Independent local restoration companies
- Water removal, drying, mold and repairs
- Photos and drying logs you can share with your insurer
Request a free estimate
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Blue Star Water Damage is a free information and referral service, not a restoration contractor. Calls and estimate requests are connected to independent restoration companies that serve your area. Those companies set their own prices and do the work.
From first call to finished repairs
The restoration industry follows the IICRC S500 standard for water damage. Here is what that looks like in plain words.
- 01
Call
Tell us what happened and where. We connect you with an available local restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- 02
Inspect
The crew stops the source, checks for electrical hazards, classifies the water and maps how far moisture has spread with meters and thermal imaging.
- 03
Mitigate
Standing water is extracted, ruined materials are removed and drying equipment is set up. Moisture readings are logged every day.
- 04
Restore
Once materials hit their dry goal, repairs begin: drywall, flooring, paint and anything else the water took out.
- 1First hours
Stop and protect
Water shut off, power checked, valuables moved, photos taken.
- 2Hour 2 to 8
Extract
Pumps and extractors remove standing water from floors and carpet.
- 3Day 1 to 4
Dry and monitor
Air movers and dehumidifiers run while moisture is checked daily.
- 4Day 4 and on
Rebuild
Drywall, floors and finishes are repaired after the dry goal is met.
Where we connect homeowners
Local pages with area facts, common causes and local conditions.
Common questions
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to wet rooms if the panel is dry, and move valuables. Then call a plumber and a restoration crew.
Is burst pipe damage covered by insurance?
Often yes when it is sudden and accidental. Damage from a slow leak, or from freezing in a home that was not kept heated, may be denied.
Can the wall be dried without cutting it open?
Sometimes. If the water is clean and drying starts quickly, crews can dry walls in place using small holes for airflow. Wet insulation usually means a section must be opened.
How long does drying take after a burst pipe?
Usually about 3 to 5 days for walls and floors, longer for hardwood or concrete.