What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

Do not force a seized brass valve with excessive torque, as old gate valves can snap off. Immediately proceed to the curbside BWS meter box and shut off the water using a water meter curb key, or call an emergency plumber who carries heavy-duty shutoff tools.

A technician cuts a neat drywall access square, cuts out the ruptured pipe section using precision copper cutters, and splices in a new section using soldered copper couplings, mechanical compression fittings, or modern PEX-A expansion tubing.

Yes! When you drain your home's plumbing system to relieve pressure, the water heater tank can siphon dry. If the electrical breaker remains on while heating elements are exposed to air, the elements will burn out in seconds.