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When a pipe lets go, every second counts — but panic costs you minutes. Tape this list to the inside of a cabinet door now, while it's calm, so future-you knows exactly what to do.
1. Shut off the water at the main
Your main shut-off is usually where the water line enters the house — in a garage, a basement, or an exterior box near the street. Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) until it stops. If you've never found it, go find it today; in an emergency you do not want to be hunting.
2. Kill the water heater
If the main is off, switch your water heater to 'pilot' (gas) or flip its breaker (electric). Running a water heater dry can damage the element or tank.
3. Open the lowest faucet
Open a faucet on the lowest floor and an outside spigot to drain the remaining pressurized water away from the break. This relieves pressure and slows the leak at the burst point.
4. Move water away from electrical
If water is near outlets, the panel, or appliances, cut power to that area at the breaker — but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. When in doubt, stay out and call us.
5. Call a real person
Our after-hours line is answered by a live dispatcher 24/7. Call us and we'll confirm you've stopped the worst of it while a licensed plumber heads your way — usually within the hour.
Pro Tip Keep a pipe-repair clamp or even a roll of self-fusing silicone tape in the house. It won't fix the pipe, but it can buy you dry minutes until we arrive.
Dave Crader
Crader Plumbing & Drain · Family-owned since 2008