What to Do If You Have a Burst Pipe in Your Home

1/29/2025 (Permalink)

Flodded basement with about an inch to two inches of standing water.

Connecticut winters can be brutal on the pipes in your home. When temperatures drop below freezing, pipes can freeze and expand, which leads to a pipe burst. These bursts can flood your home or business in a matter of minutes, causing extensive damage to walls, floors, ceilings, and belongings.

If you find yourself dealing with a burst pipe this winter, or at any time of year, act fast to minimize the damage to your property and prevent costly repairs. Here are some quick sets you can take if this ever happens to you. 

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Right Away

Find your main water shut-off and turn it off as quickly as you can to stop the water coming out. The shut-off is typically in a basement, a crawlspace, and/or a garage. Be proactive and find this shut-off before any pipes burst in your home so you are familiar with what you are looking at. 

*If the water is at a high level you may need to shut off the power to your property to prevent the risk of electrocution. This would be found in your fuse box!*

Step 2: Drain the Remaining Water From Your Pipes

Once the water is stopped, turn on all the faucets in your home (both hot and cold) to drain any water left in the pipes. You will also need to flush your toilets until all the water is out of it. This will prevent the possibility of any other leaks in your home. 

Step 3: Call Your Local Plumber

Be sure to call your plumber to fix your burst pipe. They can fix your pipe burst as well as find any other pipes that may become a threat in the future. 

Step 4: Call SERVPRO®

Even after shutting off the water, damage may already be spreading throughout your home that you can even see! Water can seep into floors and walls, leading to mold growth, structural weakening, and lingering odors if not properly dried/ treated. 

SERVPRO of Meriden is 24/7 and can take care of all of that! The team will extract the water, use industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry affected areas, and apply antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold growth.