Burst Pipe Flooding Your Home
A burst pipe is the single most common cause of catastrophic water damage in homes. A failed supply line releases 50-250 gallons per hour. Your actions in the first 60 minutes determine whether floors are saved or replaced.
Common Signs
- Active water spraying or pouring from a pipe, fitting, or wall
- Sometimes water visible only after running down through floors
- Standing water on floors, soaked walls, dripping ceilings
- Sometimes loss of water pressure to fixtures
- Possibly a hissing sound from the failed line
Most Likely Causes
In order of how often we see them on real jobs.
Freeze-thaw burst (most common in CT/NY winters)
Water in pipes freezes, expands, and bursts the line. Damage shows up where the pipe is weakest, sometimes far from the freeze.
Failed copper or PEX fitting
Compression fittings, push-fit, or solder joints fail under decades of pressure cycles. Pinhole leaks expand into bursts.
Water heater tank failure
Aging water heater tanks rust through. Failure typically dumps 40-80 gallons all at once.
Appliance supply line failure
Washer, dishwasher, ice maker, or toilet supply lines fail without warning — often when you're away.
Burst pipes produce the largest water-damage volumes we see — frequently 500+ gallons before discovery. Hardwood floors, drywall, and electrical systems are all at immediate risk. Every minute matters.
How We Fix It
Source control verification
On arrival we confirm the main water valve is closed and the pipe failure has stopped releasing.
Industrial extraction across all affected floors
Truck-mounted extractors on every wet floor simultaneously. 500+ GPM combined capacity.
Aggressive drying setup
Multiple LGR dehumidifiers + air movers + sometimes desiccants. Sized to total water load and cubic footage.
Hardwood preservation protocols
Specialty drying for hardwood floors when caught in time — preserving rather than replacing.
Reconstruction + plumber coordination
We coordinate with your plumber for permanent pipe repair while we manage the water-damage scope and insurance claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing I should do?+
Shut off water at the main valve. Then power if water is near electrical. Then call us. In that order.
Can hardwood floors be saved?+
Often yes if drying starts within 6-12 hours. Beyond 24 hours, warping is usually permanent and replacement is needed.
Will insurance cover it?+
Sudden burst pipes are typically covered as sudden and accidental. Frozen-pipe coverage may require that you took reasonable freeze prevention.
How long until everything is dry?+
Standard residential burst pipe scope: 3-7 days of active drying, then reconstruction. Larger scopes can run 2-4 weeks total.
Want a free on-site diagnosis?
We come look, tell you what's actually causing it, and only fix what needs fixing. No high-pressure sales.
IICRC Certified • Licensed & Insured • All Major Insurance Carriers