A burst pipe is one of the most stressful emergencies a homeowner can face. In Colorado, where winter temperatures regularly plunge below freezing, frozen and burst pipes are an annual threat that can release hundreds of gallons of water into your home in a matter of minutes. The actions you take in the first 30 to 60 minutes after discovering a burst pipe can make the difference between a manageable cleanup and a catastrophic loss that affects every level of your home.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, from the moment you discover the break to the point where professional help arrives.
Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply
Your first priority is stopping the flow of water. Every second counts, because a burst supply line under typical municipal pressure can release two to three gallons per minute, which translates to over a hundred gallons in less than an hour.
Locating Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
In most Colorado homes, the main water shutoff valve is located in one of a few common places. Check the basement or crawl space along the wall that faces the street. It may also be found in a utility room, near the water heater, or in an access panel in the garage. The valve is typically a gate valve with a round handle that you turn clockwise to close, or a ball valve with a lever handle that you turn 90 degrees to the off position.
If you cannot locate your main shutoff valve or it will not turn, go outside and locate the meter shutoff at the street. This valve is inside a covered box at ground level near your property line. You may need a meter key, which is an inexpensive tool available at any hardware store, to turn it. Every household should know where these shutoffs are before an emergency occurs.
Step 2: Address Electrical Safety
Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Before wading into standing water or touching anything in a flooded area, take precautions to protect yourself and your family.
- Do not walk through standing water if it may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring. Water on the floor of a room with energized outlets presents a serious electrocution risk.
- Turn off power to affected areas at the breaker panel if you can reach it safely without crossing through water. Flip individual breakers for flooded rooms or, if in doubt, shut off the main breaker.
- Do not touch electrical appliances that are sitting in or near water, even if you believe the power is off. Let a professional verify that it is safe.
- If the breaker panel is in a flooded area, do not attempt to access it. Call your electric utility company to disconnect power from outside the home.
Step 3: Open Faucets to Drain the System
After shutting off the main water supply, open all cold water faucets throughout the house to drain any remaining water from the pipes. This relieves pressure in the system and reduces the amount of water that continues to leak from the break. Flush toilets several times as well. If the burst pipe is a hot water line, turn off your water heater first, then open the hot water faucets to drain the hot water tank and lines.
This step also helps prevent additional pipe failures. If the burst was caused by freezing, other pipes in the same area may be frozen and at risk of bursting once they begin to thaw. Draining the system reduces the water available to cause additional damage.
Step 4: Document Everything for Insurance
Once you have addressed immediate safety concerns, begin documenting the damage. Thorough documentation is critical for a smooth insurance claims process and can significantly affect the amount of your settlement.
- Take photos and video of all affected areas before any cleanup begins. Capture wide shots of each room as well as close-ups of damaged items, water levels on walls, and the source of the leak if visible.
- Create a written inventory of damaged personal property, including approximate values and dates of purchase. This does not need to be exhaustive immediately, but start the list while details are fresh.
- Note the time and date you discovered the damage, when you shut off the water, and any other relevant timeline details.
- Save damaged items until your insurance adjuster has seen them. Do not throw anything away before it has been documented, even if it appears to be a total loss.
Step 5: Begin Initial Damage Control
While waiting for professional help, there are several safe steps you can take to minimize ongoing damage. Insurance policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to mitigate further loss, so these actions also support your claim.
- Remove standing water if you have a wet-dry vacuum, mop, or towels. Even removing a small amount of water helps.
- Move furniture and valuables out of wet areas. Place aluminum foil or wooden blocks under furniture legs that cannot be moved to prevent staining and further damage to both the furniture and the flooring.
- Open windows and doors if weather permits, to begin circulating air through the affected areas.
- Lift curtains and drapes off wet floors and prop up cushions to allow air to circulate around them.
What NOT to Do
- Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water. Only wet-dry vacuums are safe for this purpose.
- Do not use electrical appliances while standing in or near water.
- Do not attempt to use heat guns or hair dryers to speed drying. This can cause fire hazards and does not effectively address the volume of moisture involved.
- Do not pull up flooring or cut into walls yourself. Improper removal can spread contamination and create additional damage.
Step 6: Call a Water Damage Restoration Professional
A burst pipe creates water damage that extends far beyond what is visible on the surface. Water wicks into drywall, travels along framing members, saturates insulation inside wall cavities, and soaks into subflooring. Professional emergency water extraction services use commercial-grade equipment that is many times more powerful than consumer-level tools, including truck-mounted extraction units, industrial dehumidifiers, and high-velocity air movers.
Professional restoration also involves moisture mapping with specialized meters and thermal imaging cameras to identify all affected materials, even those hidden behind walls or under floors. This is crucial because any moisture left behind will lead to mold growth within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions.
Step 7: Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company as soon as possible after addressing the immediate emergency. Most homeowner policies cover water damage from burst pipes, provided the damage was sudden and accidental and you were maintaining your home properly. When you call, have the following information ready:
- Your policy number
- The date and time you discovered the damage
- A description of the damage and which areas of the home are affected
- The name of the restoration company responding, if one has already been called
- Photos and video documentation you have collected
A reputable water damage restoration company will work directly with your insurer, providing the detailed documentation and moisture readings needed to support your claim. This coordination can significantly reduce the stress and administrative burden on you during an already difficult time.
Preventing Future Pipe Bursts in Colorado
Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles make pipe bursts a recurring risk. Here are practical steps to reduce your chances of experiencing this emergency again:
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, attics, and along exterior walls.
- Keep your home heated to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you are away. If traveling during winter, have someone check on your home regularly.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during extreme cold to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
- Let faucets drip during severe cold snaps. A slow drip relieves pressure in the system and makes a complete freeze less likely.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior faucets at their interior shutoff valves before the first freeze.
- Know your shutoff locations. Walk through these steps with everyone in the household so anyone can respond quickly in an emergency.
Fast Response Makes All the Difference
The most important takeaway from this guide is speed. Every minute that water sits in contact with building materials increases the scope and cost of restoration. Homeowners throughout Aurora and the greater Denver Metro area trust Colorado Rapid Dry because we understand the urgency. Our teams respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fully equipped trucks that allow us to begin extraction the moment we arrive. If you are dealing with a burst pipe right now, do not wait. Call us immediately.