A burst pipe or major leak is stressful. Here's exactly what to do in the first few minutes, before help arrives.
Find your main shutoff valve (often near the street side of the house, garage, or utility closet) and turn it fully off.
If water is near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, shut off power to that area at the breaker.
Towels, buckets, and moving furniture out of the way can limit damage while you wait.
Photos and video now will help later, whether for repair planning or an insurance claim.
Once the immediate danger is controlled, call a plumber who can diagnose the actual source, not just stop the symptom.
The single most useful thing you can do right now, before anything goes wrong, is locate your home's main water shutoff valve and make sure it actually turns. Valves that haven't been used in years can seize up — testing it now means it will actually work when you need it.
Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve or the fixture's local shutoff if it's safe and accessible, then assess the situation before calling for help.
Most homes have it near the street-facing side of the house, in a garage, basement, or utility closet — it's worth locating it before an emergency happens, not during one.
A temporary measure like a pipe clamp or shutting off the water is reasonable, but permanent repair should be left to a professional to make sure the actual cause is addressed.
Call us directly — we'll help you figure out the right next step.