A burst pipe can dump gallons per minute into your home. The plumber is coming — but what you do right now determines whether this is a repair or a renovation. Work through these steps in order:
1. Shut off the water.
This is the single most important step. If you can see which fixture or appliance failed, close its individual shutoff valve (under sinks, behind toilets, at the washing machine). If not — or if a supply line burst inside a wall — go straight to the main shutoff. In Florida homes it's typically near the garage, on an exterior wall, or by the street meter. Turn it clockwise until it stops. Every adult in your house should know where this valve is before today.
2. Kill power to wet areas — safely.
Water and electricity are a lethal combination. If water is near outlets, the breaker panel, or appliances, shut off the affected breakers — but only from a dry location. Never stand in water to flip a breaker. When in doubt, stay out and wait.
3. Drain the lines.
With the main off, open the lowest faucets in the house (often outdoor spigots) and flush toilets to drain remaining pressure and water from the pipes. This stops the residual flow.
4. Protect what matters.
Move rugs, electronics, important documents, and furniture out of the water's path. If water is coming through a ceiling, poke a small hole in the bulging drywall with a screwdriver to let it drain into a bucket — a controlled drain beats a ceiling collapse.
5. If it's the water heater, shut it down.
Close the cold-water inlet valve on top of the unit and set gas units to "pilot" or turn electric units off at the breaker. A heater firing with an empty tank damages itself fast.
6. Document everything.
Photos and video of the source, the water path, and the damage — taken now, before cleanup. This helps the plumber diagnose and supports any insurance claim.
7. Call.
Now call the emergency plumbing line. Tell them: where the break is, whether the water is off, and whether there's standing water near electricity. Then start mopping toward a drain — every gallon you move now is a gallon that isn't soaking into drywall and slab.
After the repair: burst pipes in Florida homes often signal a bigger story — high water pressure, aging galvanized lines, or freeze-weakened fittings from a cold snap. Ask the plumber to check your pressure and give the visible lines a once-over while they're there. And read up on slab leaks — the slow-motion version of the same problem.
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