A burst pipe is one of the more stressful plumbing emergencies, mostly because of how quickly water can spread. Here's a clear-headed walkthrough of what to do.
Step 1: Shut Off the Water
Get to your main shutoff valve and turn it off. This is the single most useful thing you can do to limit damage — it stops the flow at the source rather than just at the broken section.
Step 2: Turn Off Electricity Near Standing Water
If water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, avoid that area entirely. If you can safely reach your breaker panel without walking through water, switching off power to the affected area is a reasonable precaution.
Step 3: Start Managing the Water
Towels, buckets, and moving furniture or belongings out of the way can help limit water damage while you wait for a plumber. This won't fix the pipe, but it can meaningfully reduce cleanup afterward.
Step 4: Call a Plumber and Describe the Situation
Let them know where the water is coming from (a wall, the ceiling, under a sink, etc.), how much water there is, and whether you were able to shut off the main valve.
What Causes Pipes to Burst
In Richardson, common causes include:
- Sudden freezes — water expands as it freezes, and that pressure can split a pipe
- Aging pipe material — older galvanized pipe becomes more prone to failure over time
- High water pressure — consistently high pressure stresses pipe joints and connections
- Physical damage — from settling, nearby construction, or age-related wear
What Happens During the Repair
A plumber will typically isolate the affected section, repair or replace the damaged pipe, and check nearby fittings for related wear so the same section doesn't fail again soon after. See our full burst pipe repair page for more detail.
After the Repair
Once the pipe itself is fixed, you may still need to deal with water damage — drying out flooring, walls, or belongings. That part is usually outside a plumber's scope, but a restoration company can help if the damage is significant.