Emergency service
Burst pipe water damage cleanup
When a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first, then get water extraction and drying started. A plumber repairs the pipe, and a restoration crew removes the water and dries the walls, floors and ceilings it reached.
- Fast callback on emergency requests
- Independent local companies that serve your ZIP
- Moisture readings documented for your insurer
- Free to call; the company quotes before work starts
A split supply line can release several gallons a minute until the main valve is closed. The water runs along framing and into ceilings below, so the damage is usually larger than what you see. Frozen pipes are the most common cause in colder states, and they often burst when they thaw, not while they're frozen.
After the plumbing is repaired, the crew traces the water with meters, opens ceilings or walls only where needed, and dries the cavities. See our guide on what to do when a pipe bursts.
Burst Pipe Cleanup at a glance
- What it is
- When a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first, then get water extraction and drying started.
- Urgency
- Same day. Damage grows by the hour.
- Typical steps
- Shut off and isolate → Extract and open up → Dry the cavities → Rebuild
- Who does it
- An independent, local restoration company
Signs
When you need burst pipe cleanup
- Water spraying or running from a wall, ceiling or cabinet
- A sudden drop in water pressure with the sound of running water
- Bulging or stained ceiling below a bathroom or attic line
- Frost on exposed pipes, or no water from a faucet during a freeze
- Water meter spinning with every fixture off
Process
What the crew does
- 1
Shut off and isolate
The main valve is closed and electricity is cut to wet areas.
- 2
Extract and open up
Standing water is removed; wet ceiling drywall and insulation that can't be dried are taken down.
- 3
Dry the cavities
Walls and ceilings are dried with air movers, dehumidifiers and cavity drying.
- 4
Rebuild
Once readings are dry, drywall, insulation, paint and flooring are replaced.
Cost
What affects the price
Every job is scoped on site. These are the factors that move the number.
- How long the pipe ran before it was shut off
- Floors affected: a second-floor break can reach two levels
- Ceiling drywall and insulation removal
- Flooring type and whether it can be dried
- Plumbing repair, billed separately by the plumber
Before the crew arrives
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do
- Close the main water shutoff and open the lowest faucet to drain lines
- Turn off the water heater if the main is off for long
- Poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling over a bucket to release water, standing clear
Stop and call if
- Water is coming through light fixtures or near the electrical panel
- A ceiling is sagging heavily
- The break is inside a wall or slab
FAQ
Burst Pipe Cleanup questions
Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Sudden and accidental pipe bursts are commonly covered, while damage from a long, slow leak or lack of maintenance often isn't. Check your policy and call your insurer early.
Should I call a plumber or a restoration company first?
Stop the water first. If the pipe is still leaking after the main is closed, call a plumber. Start drying the same day, because water damage grows by the hour.
Why did my pipe burst when it warmed up?
Ice builds pressure in the pipe while frozen. The split often lets go as the ice thaws and water flows again, which is why leaks show up on the first warm day.
Available in 45 states
Related
Related services
Water Extraction
Water extraction removes standing and soaked-in water with truck-mounted or portable pumps and extraction wands, so drying can start.
Learn more
Ceiling Leak Water Damage
A wet ceiling needs the leak stopped at its source (roof, plumbing, HVAC drain or a bathroom above), the ceiling cavity dried, and damaged drywall and insulation replaced.
Learn more
Structural Drying
Structural drying removes water that has soaked into drywall, framing, subfloor and cabinets using air movers, commercial dehumidifiers and daily moisture readings.
Learn moreWater where it shouldn't be?
Stop the source if you can, then call. We'll connect you with a local restoration company that serves your ZIP.
Fast callback on emergency requests