What to Do When a Pipe Bursts

Do These 5 Things Right Now

1. Shut off the main water valve. It's usually near your water meter or where the main line enters your home. Turn it clockwise until it stops.

2. Stay safe around electricity. If water is near outlets, light fixtures, or your electrical panel, stay out of it and call an electrician. Only turn off power if you can reach the panel while dry.

3. Drain the lines. Open your faucets, starting with the lowest ones in the house. This relieves pressure and clears the water left in the pipes.

4. Slow the spread. Move furniture, rugs, and valuables out of the wet area. Soak up standing water with towels.

5. Document everything. Take photos and videos before you clean up. Then call your insurance company and keep receipts for anything you pay for because of the damage.

Then call a water damage restoration company. Visible water may only be part of the damage. Moisture can remain behind walls, beneath flooring, and inside other building materials even after the surface appears dry. Barex handles water damage restoration in Atlanta, from water removal to drying and reconstruction.

What Not to Do

● Don't use a torch or open flame to thaw pipes. It's a fire risk.

● Don't assume it's dry because the surface looks dry.

● Don't turn the water back on until the pipe is repaired.

Why Do Frozen Pipes Cause So Much Water Damage?

When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can crack the pipe. The leak often doesn't start until the ice melts, so many homeowners find the damage hours after temperatures rise.

Frozen pipes also fail where you can't see them: inside walls, under floors, in crawl spaces, and in attics. Many Atlanta homes have pipes in these spots, and they aren't built for hard freezes. To protect your pipes before the next cold snap, see Ready.gov's winter weather guide.

If you find one frozen pipe, check the others nearby. They often freeze together.

How Quickly Can Water Damage Spread After a Pipe Bursts?

Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours in damp conditions, which is why the EPA advises drying wet materials within that window.

Acting quickly protects what you can still save, and it usually means a smaller repair. Here's why rapid response matters in restoration.

What Happens When You Call Barex

You're already dealing with enough. Here's what to expect:

1. We answer and ask a few questions about what happened.
2. We determine if it's an emergency and get a team to you.
3. We inspect your home with moisture meters and thermal imaging to find water you can't see.
4. We explain what we found, including where the water went and what needs attention now.
5. We go over your options before any work begins. If a smaller solution makes sense, we'll tell you.
6. You decide.

We document the damage along the way, which helps when you talk to your insurance company.