A pipe just burst. Do these 7 things in the next 5 minutes.

Master plumber, Dillsburg, PA. Updated April 2026. We get this call multiple times every winter and a handful in the summer too. The first 5 minutes determine how much your repair bill will be. Here's the exact order.

Photo by Walter Randlehoff on Unsplash

Step 1. Shut off the main water supply

Find your main shutoff valve. It's usually:

• In the basement, on the wall closest to the street, where the supply line enters the foundation.
• In a utility closet or laundry room (in slab homes).
• In a meter pit outside (well systems may have it at the pressure tank).

Turn the valve clockwise (right) until it stops. If it's a ball-valve handle, turn it 90 degrees. If it's a gate valve and won't budge, do NOT force it - they corrode shut, and breaking the stem makes things worse. Skip to step 6.

Step 2. Open the lowest fixture in the house

After shutting off the main, open the lowest faucet (usually a basement utility sink or outside hose bib) to drain remaining water in the pipes. This relieves pressure and reduces continued leaking from the burst point.

Step 3. Cut power if water is near electrical

If water is dripping into a ceiling fixture, near outlets, or onto an electrical panel: shut off the main breaker. Don't reach into wet electrical to do it. Use a non-conductive tool if necessary. If you can't safely access the panel, call 911 - this is a real fire hazard.

Step 4. Contain water and protect what you can

Towels, buckets, push brooms - move water away from drywall, hardwood floors, and furniture. Lift area rugs. Move electronics. The goal is to limit the damage footprint while you wait for the plumber.

Step 5. Document for insurance

Before cleanup goes too far, take photos and a 30-second video of:

• The actual burst point.
• Water on the floor, ceiling staining, soaked drywall.
• Affected furniture and possessions.
• The visible water meter (proves consumption from the burst).

Most PA homeowner policies cover sudden pipe burst water damage. Almost none cover slow-leak damage. Document the burst nature.

Step 6. Call a 24/7 plumber. Now.

This is when you call us at (223) 200-3488. We answer live around the clock from our Dillsburg shop and dispatch immediately to anywhere in York County or Cumberland County. You'll get a flat-rate price before any work starts.

Step 7. Don't try to repair it yourself

SharkBite-and-pray is tempting at midnight. We've fixed many do-it-yourself burst-pipe repairs that turned into bigger problems: wrong fitting, no slack for thermal expansion, drywall closed over a leaking joint. Get the temporary repair done right by a master plumber so your insurance claim isn't compromised.

FAQs

Related: 24/7 emergency plumber · Prevent frozen pipes in PA · Leak detection service