Design preview. Not public yet.

Help right now

A pipe burst

FirstTurn off the main water shutoff.

Shut off the water, stay away from wet electrical things, then call for help.

  1. Find the main shutoff (basement, garage, crawl space, under the home, or outside by the foundation) and turn the handle to the right until it's snug (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
  2. No shutoff, or it won't turn? Open all your faucets and flush the toilets to drain the pipes and lower the pressure (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
  3. Stay away from electrical equipment if it's wet or you're standing in water (Red Cross).
  4. Call a plumber, or your landlord if you rent. Burst pipes inside your home or yard are the property owner's responsibility; a break in the street is the water provider's (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
  5. Then contact your home or renters insurance (Regional Water Providers Consortium). Take photos of the damage first.
Don't. Thawing a frozen pipe? Never use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or any open flame. Use a hair dryer, heating pad or hot towels (Red Cross).
Two kinds of water shutoff valveLeft: a wheel, or gate, valve. Turn the wheel clockwise until it is snug to shut off the water. Right: a lever, or ball, valve. It is off when the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, and on when the handle lines up with the pipe.Wheel (gate) valveTurn clockwise until snugonLever (ball) valveOff: lever across the pipe
Find yours before you need it, and take a photo.

When things calm down: Finding your water shutoff and breaker panel

Sources

  1. Regional Water Providers Consortium Emergency water shut-off
  2. American Red Cross Frozen pipes
  3. American Red Cross Flood safety

Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?