A burst pipe is one of the fastest-moving emergencies a homeowner faces. In the time it takes to panic, search Google, and figure out what to do, you can already have thousands of gallons of water spreading through your walls, floors, and subfloor. Here's exactly what to do in the first 30 minutes.
Step 1: Turn Off the Main Water Supply — Right Now
Don't read the rest of this until you've done this. Find your main water shut-off and turn it off. In Central Florida homes, it's usually near the water meter at the street, in the garage utility area, or in a utility closet. Turning off the water is the single most impactful thing you can do — it stops the source and limits total damage.
Step 2: Turn Off Electricity in Flooded Areas
Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water has reached any area with electrical outlets, switches, or appliances, flip the circuit breakers for those zones before entering. If you're unsure, call your utility company or stay out entirely.
Step 3: Document Everything Before Touching It
Video the entire affected area. Pan across every room, go slow, show the ceiling, walls, and floor. Take still photos at multiple angles. This documentation is your insurance claim — the more you capture before cleanup, the better your settlement.
Step 4: Open Cabinets and Move Items Off Floors
Move furniture and belongings off wet floors to prevent further water damage to them. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow air circulation. Don't throw anything away yet — items need to be documented for your contents claim.
Step 5: Do NOT Use Fans or Your HVAC System
It's tempting to start fans blowing or turn on your AC to "dry things out." Don't. Household fans don't reach the moisture inside walls and subfloors — they just create air movement on the surface. Worse, running your HVAC when it may have been affected by water can damage the system or spread moisture further. Wait for professional equipment.
Step 6: Call a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company
This is not optional — not for a burst pipe. Professional truck-mounted extractors remove hundreds of gallons of water. Thermal cameras locate moisture in walls you can't see. Commercial dehumidifiers dry the structure over 3–5 days. Without professional drying, mold will grow within 24–48 hours.
Call at Central Florida Disaster Recovery: 321-420-7274. We're on-site within 60 minutes anywhere in the Orlando area, 24/7.
What's the Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make After a Burst Pipe?
Trying to handle it themselves. We get calls from homeowners who "dried it out" with fans for two days — and now have a mold problem that costs $8,000 to remediate on top of the original water damage. Professional drying is significantly cheaper than the mold remediation that results from inadequate DIY drying.