A burst pipe can dump hundreds of gallons per hour into your home. What you do in the first 10 minutes determines whether it’s a plumbing bill or a full restoration project.
Minute 1: Shut Off the Water
Find your main shutoff valve — usually near the front hose bib, in the garage, or at the meter box — and turn it clockwise until it stops. Do this before anything else. If you can’t find it or it won’t budge, call us and we’ll talk you through it while a tech is dispatched.
Minute 2: Kill Power to Affected Areas
If water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, turn off those breakers. Water + electricity is the real danger in a burst-pipe emergency.
Minute 3: Open Faucets to Drain the Lines
Open cold-water taps at the lowest point in the house to drain remaining pressure, then open a hot tap to drain the water heater feed.
Next: Move Valuables, Document Everything
Get furniture, rugs, and electronics out of the water’s path. Take photos and video of everything — your homeowner’s insurance will want it, and most policies cover sudden pipe bursts (but not the pipe repair itself).
What NOT to Do
- Don’t try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame.
- Don’t ignore a “small” leak — pinhole leaks in copper become bursts.
- Don’t wait until morning. Water damage compounds by the hour; mold starts within 24–48 hours.
Why Pipes Burst in Southern California
It’s rarely freezing here — our bursts come from corrosion (aging copper and galvanized pipe), high water pressure (anything over 80 PSI stresses every joint), and slab movement. If your home still has original galvanized plumbing, a pressure test now is cheaper than a flood later.
We Answer 24/7 — Call Now
911 Drain Lines and Plumbing runs emergency crews around the clock across Orange County and surrounding areas. Call 714.746.7611 now — tell us what you see and we’ll talk you through the next 10 minutes on the phone while a tech rolls.