Burst Pipe: Emergency Steps to Limit Damage

When a pipe bursts you're looking at hundreds of litres of water hitting your floors in minutes, so speed matters more than anything. If there's just one thing you take away from this whole page let it be this — go find your main water shut-off valve right now. Before any emergency happens. It's the kind of thing you kick yourself for not knowing when water's already pouring.

Below we've laid out what to do step by step, including keeping safe around the electrics, while you wait for a plumber to show up.

Step 1: Turn off the water at the mains

That main shut-off valve — sometimes people call it a stop tap or stopcock — it's the thing controlling all water into your place. Close it and you've killed the problem at the source, which is obviously the quickest win.

Most homes across WA have theirs sitting at the water meter, up near the front boundary of the block. Look for a green box at ground level. Some houses also got an internal isolation valve fitted. Turn the tap clockwise, that's right, to shut it off. We really recommend you locate yours today if you haven't already and show everyone else in the house too. Trying to find it while water's gushing wastes time you don't have.

Now if the burst is localised to one fixture — say under a kitchen sink or at the loo — you might get away with closing the isolation valve just for that spot. But honestly, if there's any doubt at all just shut the whole mains off.

Step 2: Switch off electricity if water is near wiring

Water meeting electricity is bad news, full stop. Any time water's leaking close to power points, light fittings, your switchboard, or appliances, or dripping through the ceiling, you need to cut the power at the main switch on your board. Don't go touching switches or appliances if your hands are wet or you're standing in water, that's just asking for trouble.

Not sure if it's safe? Stay out of the area entirely and get someone else involved. Your wellbeing matters a whole lot more than the carpet does.

Step 3: Turn off the hot water system

Burst on the hot water side of things, or you've killed the mains and there's a storage hot water system involved — switch the thing off. Electric unit, hit the power point or isolation switch. Gas unit, close the gas isolation valve. You're stopping it from heating what might be an empty or half-empty tank, which can cause more headaches. Hot water system itself the problem? Our hot water systems crew can sort that out.

Step 4: Drain the remaining water

Mains now off, open up the cold taps at the lowest points in the house — usually an outside tap or the laundry. That lets the water still sitting in the pipes drain out. Relieves the pressure and means less water escaping through where the pipe's split. Go flush the toilets to empty the cisterns while you're at it.

Step 5: Contain and limit the damage

• Chuck buckets, towels, whatever you've got under drips to catch water

• Move furniture, electronics, rugs, anything valuable clear of the wet zone

• Pull up carpet corners if you're able, helps stop it soaking right through

• Soak up any standing water fast so it doesn't wick into walls and floors

• Photograph the damage before you start cleaning up — your insurer will want those

Moving fast here genuinely changes how much repair work you're up for later, and it helps your insurance claim go smoother too.

Step 6: Call a licensed plumber

You need a licensed plumber to fix a burst pipe — partly to do the job right and partly to keep everything compliant. Don't turn the mains back on till the pipe's repaired or safely isolated. Our burst and leaking pipes service covers emergency repairs, and if it's after hours our emergency plumbing team can get out to you pretty quick.

What causes pipes to burst?

A lot of bursts actually give you some warning first — damp patches appearing, water pressure dropping off, or your water bill jumping for no obvious reason. Getting onto a small leak early with water leak detection can stop you dealing with a full blown burst later on.

After the emergency: drying out and repairs

Pipe's fixed, leak's stopped — now the job becomes drying everything out properly so you don't end up with mould creeping in weeks down the track. Water that gets into walls, skirting boards, under flooring, it can sit there and cause real trouble if you don't deal with it.

• Get air moving through the rooms with fans and open windows, and run a dehumidifier if you've got one handy.

• Lift or pull back wet carpet and underlay so the floor underneath can actually dry out.

• Keep taking photos as things progress for your insurer.

• Watch for any musty smells or patches of discolouration on walls and ceilings, that's usually a sign moisture's trapped somewhere.

For really significant water damage your insurer might send out professional drying and restoration people. Check with them before you start ripping stuff out because you could accidentally mess with your claim.

Be ready before it happens

Honestly the households that handle a burst pipe best are the ones who did a bit of prep beforehand. Spend five minutes today finding your main shut-off valve, make sure it actually turns, and point it out to everyone at home. It also pays to know where your gas and electrical isolation switches are, and keep a local licensed plumber's number somewhere easy to find so you're not Googling while water's flooding in. That little bit of preparation could easily save you thousands in water damage.

Dealing with a burst pipe right now? Shut off your mains, stay clear of any electrical hazards, and call our licensed Canning Vale plumbers for an urgent repair.

Frequently asked questions