What to do the moment a pipe bursts in your Abilene home

Pipes fail from age, corrosion, and tired fittings, and in this part of Texas they split from freezing too. The National Weather Service puts Abilene's average first freeze at November 11, so this is the week to know the drill before you need it. When one lets go, you won't have time to look anything up.

The short answer: shut off the main water valve, then open a couple of faucets to relieve the pressure. If water is near outlets or your panel, don't wade in. Take photos before you clean up, call a licensed plumber, and start drying the same day. Leaks out at the street or meter go to the City.

The first ten minutes, in order

1. Shut off the main water valve. Every minute it stays open, more water ends up on your floor. If you don't know where yours is, our frozen pipes guide covers finding it. Do that this week, not during the emergency.
2. Relieve the pressure. Progressive says to open faucets and flush toilets so the lines drain after the main is off.
3. Think about the electricity. Nationwide says to consider shutting off power to avoid water-related electrical hazards, and Progressive says to evacuate if electrical systems are at risk. If water is dripping from a light fixture, running down a wall with outlets, or pooling around the panel, and you can't reach the breaker without standing in water, don't try. Get everyone out and call.
4. Call a licensed plumber. Progressive warns that trying to repair a burst pipe yourself can lead to more damage. Our emergency line answers day and night at (325) 701-7017.
5. Take photos and video before you clean up. The Texas Department of Insurance says to take photos and videos of all damage. Nationwide says to do it before you start cleaning. Do it before the mop comes out.
6. Start getting the water out. Progressive suggests buckets, towels, or a wet-dry vacuum for standing water, then fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area.

Water off first, photos second, mop third. Do it in that order and the rest of the day gets a lot easier.

Finding where the water is really coming from

The wet spot isn't always the broken spot. Nationwide says water in a ceiling shows up as bulges and wet spots, and water behind a wall eventually soaks through as a dark mark on the surface. By then it can have traveled a long way from the break. If you can't find the source, say so when you call. That's a normal thing for us to hear, and it helps us bring the right gear. If you're also seeing a high water bill with no burst in sight, our guide to hidden leaks is the place to start.

When the water is coming from the street, not your house

If water is coming up in the street or the yard near the meter, or you can't tell whose it is, the City of Abilene takes water leak reports at (325) 676-6000. The City says that line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a live person answers. It's for emergencies only. If the water is inside your house, shut your own main and call a plumber.

Dry it out, then deal with insurance

The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and that materials dried in that window usually won't grow mold. It also says absorbent materials like carpet and ceiling tiles may have to be thrown away if they get moldy. Photograph them first.

• Limit the damage. The Texas Department of Insurance says to keep damage from getting worse, for example with a tarp or temporary repairs.
• Keep every receipt. TDI says to keep receipts for all expenses. Progressive adds notes from every conversation with your insurance company.
• Call your insurer. TDI's claim tips say the company has 15 business days to acknowledge your claim after you file it.

We're plumbers, not adjusters, so check your own policy and ask your agent what it covers.

What happens when you call us

You'll talk to a real person, day or night. We find the break, stop the water, and quote the repair before we start, with no surprise line items. If you're on the Double R Home Care Plan ($299 a year or $29 a month), you get priority scheduling and 10% off repairs. If a hose bib split, our guide to winterizing outdoor faucets covers what to check next.

We're owner-operated and licensed in Texas as a Master Plumber (M-18761). Real work, real people, no corporate runaround.

Call or text (325) 701-7017 or request service online.

Frequently asked questions

Should I turn off the electricity when a pipe bursts?

Nationwide says to consider shutting off power to your home to avoid water-related electrical hazards, and Progressive says to evacuate if electrical systems are at risk. The catch is getting to the panel. If you can reach the breaker box without stepping in water, shutting off the power is reasonable. If you can't, don't try. Get everyone out and call us from outside.

Can I fix a burst pipe myself?

Stopping the water is your job. The repair isn't. Progressive says not to attempt a burst pipe repair yourself because it can lead to more damage. Shut off the main, get the water out of the house, and call a licensed plumber.

Do I call the City of Abilene or a plumber?

If water is coming up in the street or the yard near the meter, or you can't tell whose it is, the City's water leak line is (325) 676-6000, open 24 hours a day with a live person answering. If the pipe is inside your house, shut your own main and call a plumber. Not sure? Call us and we'll sort it out with you.

How long before mold starts after a pipe bursts?

The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and that damp materials dried in that window usually won't grow mold. That's why drying starts the same day, not after the insurance call.