Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to wet areas if it is safe, photograph everything, and call a water damage company and a plumber. Move valuables out, contact your insurer, and get professional drying started within 24 hours to prevent mold.
A burst pipe can put hundreds of gallons of water into your home in a short time. It is stressful, it is messy, and it usually happens at the worst possible moment. The good news is that what you do in the first hour makes a huge difference in how much damage you end up with and how smoothly your insurance claim goes.
I'm Richard Jones with Absolute Kleen & Restoration in Cypress. We respond to burst pipes around the clock, and this is the same advice we give every caller.
Step 1: Shut off the water
Find your main water shutoff and turn it off. In many Houston-area homes it is near the front of the house where the line comes in, in a garage, or in a utility closet. Some homes also have a shutoff at the street in a meter box. If only one fixture is leaking, like a toilet or sink supply line, there is usually a small valve right behind it.
Every adult in your home should know where the main shutoff is. If you do not know, find it today.
Step 2: Turn off power to wet areas
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If water is near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, turn off the breakers for those areas, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. If you cannot do it safely, leave the area and call for help.
Step 3: Document everything
Before you move anything, take photos and video of the water, the pipe, damaged walls and floors, and your belongings. Get wide shots and close-ups. This documentation is one of the most useful things you can give your insurance company.
Step 4: Call a water damage professional
Call us at (281) 733-2733. We answer 24/7. The sooner extraction and drying start, the more of your home can be saved rather than torn out. Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
Step 5: Call a plumber
The broken pipe needs a licensed plumber to repair it. We can coordinate around the plumber so drying starts as soon as possible, even before the repair is finished in some cases.
Step 6: Protect your belongings
- Move electronics, documents, and photos to a dry room.
- Lift furniture off wet carpet, or put foil or plastic under the legs to prevent staining.
- Roll up area rugs and move them somewhere dry.
- Hang up wet curtains and drapes.
Step 7: Contact your insurance company
Report the claim as soon as you can. Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage like a burst pipe. The repair of the pipe itself may not be covered, but the damage it caused often is. Ask about your deductible and whether your policy covers additional living expenses if you need to stay elsewhere.
We work directly with insurance companies. We provide photos, daily moisture logs, and estimates written in Xactimate, the same estimating software most carriers use, which helps claims move faster.
What professional water restoration looks like
Inspection and moisture mapping
We use moisture meters to find out exactly where the water went, including inside walls, under cabinets, and below flooring.
Water extraction
Powerful extractors remove standing water and pull water out of carpet and pad. Removing water is far faster than evaporating it.
Structural drying
Commercial air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure. Sometimes we remove baseboards or drill small holes to dry inside wall cavities. We check readings every day.
Removal of damaged materials
Materials that cannot be dried, like soaked carpet pad or swollen drywall, are removed and documented for your claim.
Cleaning and treatment
Affected areas are cleaned and treated to prevent mold and odors.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting to see if it dries. Hidden moisture stays behind long after surfaces feel dry.
- Using a household vacuum on water. It is dangerous and will not remove enough.
- Turning up the heat. Warmth without dehumidification can speed up mold growth.
- Throwing away damaged items before photographing them. Your adjuster may need to see them.
How to prevent the next one
In the Houston area, burst pipes most often come from aging supply lines, failed water heater connections, washing machine hoses, and the rare hard freeze. Replace rubber washer hoses with braided steel, have your water heater inspected, and during a freeze let faucets drip and open cabinet doors on outside walls.
We are here when it happens
If a pipe bursts in Cypress, Katy, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, or anywhere in Northwest Houston, call (281) 733-2733. Learn more about our water damage restoration service, or send us a request and we will get right back to you.
Common questions
Do you do water damage restoration for businesses?
Yes. We respond 24/7 to offices, retail, restaurants, and multifamily properties, and we work to get you open again as quickly as possible.
How quickly does mold grow after water damage?
Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials. That is why fast water extraction and drying matter so much.
Can wet carpet be saved?
Often, yes, if it is clean water and the carpet is extracted and dried quickly. Carpet soaked by sewage or flood water from outside usually has to be replaced for health reasons.
More answers on our FAQ page.
Richard Jones is the owner of Absolute Kleen & Restoration in Cypress, TX, a Texas-licensed mold remediation contractor (MRC #2164) and mold assessment consultant (MAC #2165) with IICRC-certified technicians.
