Burst Pipe in Your Home? Do This Right Now

The Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now

Shut off the main water supply valve. Everything else in this guide comes after that one action. Closing the main stops all water flow from the burst — limiting flooding to what has already occurred and preventing additional damage while you take the remaining steps.

In most Flint homes, the main shutoff is in the basement near the front foundation wall — within 3 to 5 feet of where the supply line enters the house. Gate valve: turn the round wheel clockwise until it stops. Ball valve: turn the lever 90 degrees so it sits perpendicular to the pipe. If the valve is seized and will not close, call the City of Flint to close the curb stop.

Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Supply

Gate valve (round wheel handle): turn clockwise until it stops completely. Some older gate valves in Flint pre-1960 homes are stiff from years of non-use — turn firmly but do not force it to the point of damage. If it will not close fully, move to Step 2 while calling for the city to close the curb stop.

Ball valve (lever handle): turn the lever 90 degrees — it should sit perpendicular to the pipe when fully closed. Ball valves close and open quickly and reliably.

After closing the main: open the lowest faucet in the home to drain residual water from the supply lines — this reduces the dripping from the burst area while you address Steps 2 through 5.

Step 2: Turn Off Electricity to Affected Areas

Water and electricity are dangerous in combination. If water has reached electrical outlets, your electrical panel, or any appliances — turn off the circuit breaker for those areas before entering. If you are not sure which breaker covers the affected zone, turn off the main breaker.

Do not re-enter a water-flooded area with active electrical service until a licensed electrician or your utility confirms the area is safe. This is the step most people skip under stress — do not skip it.

Step 3: Document Before You Clean Up

Before moving anything or mopping up water — take photos and video of all visible damage. Every affected wall, floor, ceiling, and item. Date-stamp the photos if possible (most smartphone cameras do this automatically).

Insurance claims for burst pipe damage require documentation of the damage as it existed before remediation. Two minutes of documentation now can make a meaningful difference in your claim. Keep receipts for all mitigation work — towels, fans, wet-vac rental — as these are often covered.

Step 4: Call a Licensed Plumber

With the main water shut off, active flooding has stopped. You can now make the call with the immediate crisis stabilized. Have your address and a description of the burst location ready — which pipe, where it is in the house — so the dispatcher can prioritize the call accurately.

Do not attempt to permanently repair a burst pipe with pipe tape, clamps, or epoxy. These are temporary measures for minor leaks, not burst sections. A burst requires the damaged section to be cut out and replaced. Temporary products can delay the call and allow secondary damage to develop from ongoing slow seepage.

Step 5: Protect the Property While You Wait

Remove valuables from the affected area. Use towels, mops, or a wet-vac to remove standing water — the longer water sits on wood floors, drywall, and subfloor, the more structural damage occurs. Open interior doors to improve air circulation.

Do not use electric appliances — space heaters, fans plugged into outlets in the wet area — until the area has been confirmed electrically safe. Do not use a gas appliance to dry a wet space without ventilation.

Is a Burst Pipe Covered by Homeowner's Insurance?

Burst pipe damage caused by a sudden event — freeze-related pipe failure is the most common example in Michigan — is typically covered under standard homeowner's insurance. The coverage applies to the resulting water damage (drywall, flooring, personal property) not the pipe repair itself.

Coverage is generally not extended to gradual leaks or damage from deferred maintenance. Some policies require documentation that the home was maintained at a minimum temperature during a freeze event. Call your insurer before making any permanent repairs — they may require an adjuster visit before restoration work begins.