Burst Pipe in Pennsylvania? Do These 7 Things in the First Hour

A burst 3/4-inch supply line can release 10+ gallons per minute. In one hour, that's over 600 gallons soaking into floors, walls, and ceilings. What you do in the first 60 minutes decides whether this is a $2,000 dry-out or a $30,000 rebuild.

1. Kill the water at the main

Every adult in your home should know where the main shutoff is — usually in the basement near the front foundation wall, at the water meter, or in a utility closet. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you have a well, switch off the pump breaker.

2. Cut electricity to wet areas

If water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, switch off the affected breakers. If you can't reach the panel without stepping in water, stay out and call an electrician or PECO/PP&L/Duquesne Light emergency line.

3. Drain the system

Open cold faucets throughout the house and flush toilets to empty the pipes. This stops residual flow from the burst section. In winter, leave faucets open — many PA bursts happen during freeze-thaw cycles and a second split is common.

4. Document before you touch anything

• ▸Video a slow walkthrough of every affected room before moving items
• ▸Photograph the burst pipe itself and the water line on walls
• ▸Keep the failed section of pipe — your adjuster may want it
• ▸Note the time you discovered the loss and when you shut off the water

5. Call a mitigation company — not just a plumber

A plumber fixes the pipe. A water damage restoration company extracts the water and dries the structure — and that's what prevents mold. Most certified PA crews bill your insurer directly and can be on site within hours. Use our directory to find a 24/7 crew near you.

6. Notify your insurer

Sudden and accidental discharge from plumbing is covered by most Pennsylvania homeowners policies. Report the claim within 24 hours. You are generally required to mitigate further damage — calling a restoration company promptly satisfies that duty.

7. Start moving valuables to dry ground

Once documented, lift furniture onto blocks or foil, move rugs and electronics to dry rooms, and prop up curtains. Don't use a household vacuum on water, and don't run ceiling fixtures in rooms with wet ceilings.

Why PA homes are vulnerable

Pennsylvania's freeze-thaw winters are brutal on plumbing: pipes in exterior walls, uninsulated crawlspaces, and hose bibs split when temperatures swing around freezing. Older Philly rowhomes and Pittsburgh hillside houses often have original galvanized or poorly insulated lines. A $10 pipe sleeve and a shutoff you can reach in the dark are the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.