Leak or burst pipe? Do these 5 things first.

Shut off the water

Find your home’s main shutoff valve, usually where the water line comes into the house. On a home with a crawlspace it may be under the house. Turn a round handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.

Can’t find it? The valve at the water meter box by the street also stops the water, but it may need a meter key.

Keep water away from electricity

If water is near outlets, appliances or the breaker panel, turn off the power to that area at the breaker, but only if you can reach it without standing in water. If you can’t, stay out of the area and call your power company.

Open a faucet to drain the lines

With the main shut off, open the lowest faucet in the house, like a tub or an outdoor spigot, so the water left in the pipes runs out there instead of through the leak.

Move things and soak up the water

Get furniture, rugs and boxes out of the wet area, and soak up standing water with towels or a wet vac to keep the damage down.

Take photos

Photos of the leak and any damage help if you file an insurance claim.