Burst or Frozen Pipe? Your First 30 Minutes

In a Kansas or Missouri winter, a single hard freeze can split a pipe and flood a home in minutes. A burst pipe dumps gallons fast, so the first 30 minutes matter more than anything a contractor does later. Here's the order of operations.

1. Shut off the main water valve — now

Don't hunt for the specific broken pipe. Go straight to your home's main shutoff (near where the water line enters, often by the meter, in a basement or utility closet) and turn it clockwise until it stops. Every household member should know where this is before winter — it's the difference between a puddle and a catastrophe.

2. Drain the cold taps and kill the water heater

Open the cold-water faucets to drain the remaining water in the lines and relieve pressure on the burst. Then shut off the water heater (and flush its supply by opening a hot tap) so it doesn't run dry and damage the element.

3. Cut power to wet areas

If water reached outlets, the breaker panel, or appliances, shut off the affected circuits at the breaker — but only if you can do it without standing in water. When in doubt, call your utility.

4. Photograph, then start removing water

Document the burst and the damage for your claim, then mop, vac, and lift belongings off the floor. Open cabinet doors and interior doors to let air circulate to the soaked areas.

5. Call a restoration crew for the drying you can't see

The water you can mop is the easy part. Water tracks inside wall cavities, under flooring, and into insulation, where it quietly feeds mold for weeks. A restoration crew uses moisture meters and commercial dehumidifiers to dry the structure to standard — and works with your insurance on the rebuild.

Keep it from happening again

• Before a hard freeze, let a faucet drip on exterior walls and open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach the pipes.
• Disconnect garden hoses and insulate pipes in unheated spaces (crawlspaces, garages, attics).
• Keep the house above 55°F even when you're away, and know where that main shutoff is.

This guide is general information for educational purposes only — not professional, legal, or insurance advice. Coverage, costs, timelines, and the right steps depend on your policy, your property, and local conditions, and can change over time. Confirm specifics with a licensed restoration professional, your insurer, and your own policy before acting. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.