1. Shut off the main water valve
This is the single most important thing you can do. In most Englewood homes the main shut-off is in the basement or crawl space, where the water line comes through the front foundation wall. It can also be in a utility closet, near the water heater or in the garage. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops. If it's a lever, turn it so it sits across the pipe.
Then open a faucet on the lowest floor to let the water left in the pipes drain out, and flush toilets once so they don't refill.
2. Make the area safe
- If water is near outlets, cords, a furnace or the electrical panel, turn the power off at the panel only if you can reach it from a dry spot
- Stay out from under a ceiling that's sagging or dripping heavily
- Watch for slippery floors and keep kids and pets out
3. Take photos before you move anything
Your insurer will want to see the damage as you found it. Take wide shots of each room, close-ups of the pipe if you can see it, the water on the floor, stained ceilings and walls, and any damaged belongings. A short video walking through each room works well too. If the pipe froze, snap a photo of your thermostat setting.
4. Move what you can, safely
- Lift rugs, electronics, paper and photos off wet floors first
- Put foil or plastic under furniture legs so wood stain doesn't bleed into carpet
- Hang wet curtains and fabrics up off the floor
- Don't use a household vacuum on water
5. Call a plumber and a water cleanup crew
These are usually two different jobs. The plumber repairs the pipe. We handle the water damage it left: extraction, finding hidden moisture, and drying the walls, floors and ceilings. The sooner drying starts, the less has to be torn out.
6. Call your insurance company
Report the claim early. Ask whether they want to send an adjuster before cleanup starts. In most cases they'll tell you to prevent further damage, which means getting the water out and drying started. We keep photos and daily moisture readings for your file.
What not to do
Don't thaw pipes with a flame
Torches and open flames start house fires. Use gentle heat like a hair dryer on low.
Don't wait it out
Wet drywall and carpet pad can start growing mold in 24 to 48 hours.
Don't close up wet walls
A wall that looks dry outside can still be wet inside. Readings decide, not looks.
Don't toss everything yet
Keep damaged items or photos of them until your adjuster says otherwise.
How fast water damage spreads
That timeline is why a same-day start matters more than anything else. See how we handle extraction and drying, or learn more about frozen pipe water damage if your pipe froze.
Read next
- Does insurance cover a burst pipe in Colorado?
- Mold after a burst pipe: how fast it grows
- Came home to a burst pipe? What to check first
- Can you dry water damage yourself?
Common questions
What should I do if a pipe bursts under my house?
Shut off the main water valve right away. If the pipe is in a crawl space or basement, don't go in if water is near wiring or the furnace. Then call for water removal, because water under a house soaks into the subfloor and framing fast.
How common is it for pipes to burst?
In cold climates like Colorado, it's one of the most common causes of home water damage, especially after sudden cold snaps. Pipes in outside walls, garages and crawl spaces are the most at risk.
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?
Most policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, including a pipe that froze. Damage from a slow leak, or from a home that wasn't kept heated, may be handled differently. Check your policy and call your insurer early.
How expensive is it to fix a burst pipe?
There are two parts: the plumber's repair of the pipe, and the water cleanup. Small cleanups caught early cost the least. The longer water sits, the more drywall, pad and flooring has to come out, so speed is what keeps the cost down.
Can frozen pipes cause water damage?
Yes. Water expands as it freezes and can split the pipe. The leak usually starts when the ice melts, at full water pressure, often inside a wall.
Will frozen pipes eventually unfreeze on their own?
They will once temperatures rise, but that's also when a split pipe starts leaking. Keep the main valve handy, open the faucet on that line, and warm the area gently. Never use an open flame.
How long does it take to dry out after a burst pipe?
Most homes are dry in three to five days with commercial dehumidifiers and air movers. Basements, hardwood and wall cavities can take a little longer.