Burst Pipe: What to Do First in New York
A burst pipe does not give you much warning. One moment the house is quiet, the next there is water running across the floor, and the amount of water grows fast. What you do in the first few minutes decides how much of your home gets wet.
- ✓ Written for New York homeowners
- ✓ Visit first, then a plan
- ✓ Call to arrange a visit
The priorities are simple: stop the water if you can do so safely, stay out of any water near electrics, and call for help. Everything else can wait.
Shut the water off if it is safe
Find the main shut-off valve and turn it off, but only if you can reach it without stepping into standing water. In many New York homes the valve is in the basement or near the water meter, and it is worth knowing where it is before an emergency happens.
If the valve is under water or you cannot reach it safely, leave it and call a professional. Do not wade through a flooded room to reach a valve, and do not touch any electrical panel that is wet or standing in water.
Move belongings away from the water
Carry small valuables, papers and electronics to a dry room, and lift rugs off the floor if you can do so without stepping into water. Furniture legs can be raised onto blocks to keep them out of the worst of it, but do not try to drag heavy furniture through water.
Open doors between rooms so the water can be seen clearly, and move anything that would be ruined by a short soak. For guidance on the wider cleanup, our page on burst pipe water damage repair explains what follows once the water is stopped.
Do not touch electrical items in standing water
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Do not pick up a wet appliance, do not unplug anything that is standing in water, and do not switch on lights in a flooded room. If water is near outlets or the breaker panel, stay out of the room entirely.
Shut off power only if you can do so from a dry place, such as a breaker panel in a dry part of the house. If you are unsure, leave it and call for help.
Call a professional and know what happens after
Call a water damage professional and describe where the burst is, how much water there is, and which rooms are affected. Take photos from dry doorways if you can, and note when you first noticed the water.
After the call, the water is removed, the building is dried, and damaged materials are assessed. In the west of the state, burst pipe help in Buffalo follows the same sequence, and emergency water removal covers the first stage of getting the water out.
Key Takeaways
- Find the main shut-off valve and turn it off, but only if you can reach it without stepping into standing water.
- Carry small valuables, papers and electronics to a dry room, and lift rugs off the floor if you can do so without stepping into water.
- Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
- Call a water damage professional and describe where the burst is, how much water there is, and which rooms are affected.
Ready for the Next Step?
Call to arrange a water damage visit in New York. Describe what you found and we will talk through the next step.
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