What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement

The First Minutes in a Flooding Basement

A burst pipe keeps running until someone closes a valve, and the basement takes every gallon. Each minute adds depth, and depth decides how far the water climbs the walls.

The order matters: safety, then the water supply, then the record, then the call. The crew handles the pump-out and the drying from there. Dial (888) 450-9281 as soon as the steps below are done.

• Do first: Check for water near power; shut the main valve
• Never do: Wade into standing water with the power on
• Then record: Photos of the water line, the pipe and your belongings
• Call for: Pump-out and drying; the plumber for the pipe

Signs It Is Not Safe to Go Downstairs

• Water touches outlets, extension cords, the furnace or the breaker panel
• The water is still rising or spraying from a pipe overhead
• A buzzing, crackling or humming sound comes from the walls or the panel
• A gas or fuel smell rises near the water heater or furnace
• The basement ceiling sags or drips with water from the floor above

The First Hour, Step by Step

1. Stop the water

   Close the main valve, usually near the meter or where the supply enters the house. If the valve is under water, call the plumber or the water utility rather than reaching for it.

2. Make the room safe

   Switch off power to the basement only from a dry breaker panel while standing on dry ground. If the panel is wet or the floor around it is, stay out and let the utility or an electrician deal with it.

3. Record the damage

   Photograph and film the water line, the broken pipe and the items that got wet, from the stairs or the dry edge. Insurers usually want this record.

4. Call the crew and the plumber

   Dial (888) 450-9281 to get the pump-out and drying started, and book the plumber for the pipe. The two trades work on separate parts of the job.

What to Do Before the Crew Arrives

• Skip the shop vacuum and the household vacuum on standing water
• Skip draining a deep basement all at once when the soil outside is soaked
• Skip running a gas pump or generator indoors, which can fill the house with carbon monoxide
• Skip hauling out wet drywall before the technician maps it and takes photos
• Skip mixing bleach with other cleaners to treat the floor

What to Expect From the Crew

• The pump-out

  Pumps and extractors remove the standing water, so you do not have to carry buckets through a wet room with live power.

• The risky parts of the room

  The technician checks where the water meets the panel, outlets and mechanical equipment before the crew steps in. Crews work with the hazards in mind.

• The paperwork for the claim

  Time-stamped photos, a moisture map and daily readings begin on the first visit. Your own photos from the stairs add to that file.

What Fast Action Saves

Closing the valve and starting the pump-out early typically holds a basement cleanup to the low end of the usual range, because less water climbs the walls and soaks the slab.

• Valve shut, pump-out started early: $1,000 to $3,500. Water stays low, little removal
• Water sat overnight: $3,000 to $8,000. Wall bottoms and carpet pad soaked
• Water sat for days: $8,000 to $20,000. Insulation and framing wet, longer drying

What changes the price

• Minutes or hours before the main valve was closed
• Time between discovery and the start of pumping
• Whether wet materials were left in place or lifted away
• Whether the water reached the furnace or panel area

For a rough number, try the basement burst pipe cleanup cost calculator.

Insurance Records for What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement

Where the water came from matters. Water from a split supply pipe is handled differently from groundwater seeping through a wall or sewage backing up a drain. Those last two often need separate flood or water backup coverage, so check which one applies before assuming anything.

Coverage depends on your policy, so check with your own insurer.

What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement by City

Busy cities for this service. Every town has its own page.

• Houston, TX
• Sacramento, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Atlanta, GA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Chicago, IL
• San Antonio, TX
• Phoenix, AZ
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Charlotte, NC
• San Diego, CA
• Austin, TX

What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement by State

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington DC
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

More About What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement

• Hidden Damage After a Basement Burst Pipe

  Wet insulation, soaked sill plates and water under flooring can outlast the puddle. Learn where it hides.

• Basement Burst Pipe Cleanup

  A burst pipe floods the lowest level first. Crews pump it out, then dry the slab and walls.

• Basement Burst Pipe Cleanup Cost

  Water depth, finished surfaces and drying days drive the bill. See how a basement total adds up.

• Basement Burst Pipe Insurance Claims

  A burst supply pipe is often a covered loss, but groundwater is not. Find out what a claim file needs.

• Signs of a Burst Pipe in the Basement

  Puddles with no rain, a spinning meter and a musty smell often point to a burst pipe below the floor.

• Drying Out a Basement After a Burst Pipe

  Cool air and wet concrete slow a basement dry-out. Learn how long it takes and what the machines do.

Questions About What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in the Basement

• How Much Does It Cost to Clean Up a Burst Pipe in the Basement?
• What Are the Signs of a Burst Pipe in the Basement?
• What Should You Do About a Burst Pipe in the Basement?