# A pipe burst or the basement flooded: what to do first > Shut off the main water valve, stay away from water near outlets, and take photos and video before cleanup. Call your insurance company for a claim number, then dry everything within 24 to 48 hours to stop mold. Keep every receipt. Sudden bursts are often covered; outside flooding usually needs flood insurance. - URL: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=burst-pipe-flooded-basement ## Step by step 1. **A pipe burst or the basement flooded?** Act fast. Water spreads and soaks in quickly. Here’s the order to do things. 2. **Shut off the main water valve.** It’s usually where the water line enters the house: near the water meter, in the basement, a garage or a utility closet. Turn it clockwise until it stops. 3. **Stay safe around electricity.** If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, don’t walk in it. Turn the power off only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. If not, call the power company. 4. **Take photos and video before cleanup.** Show the water, the source of the leak, and damaged walls, floors and belongings. Insurance will ask for them. 5. **Call your insurance company.** Get a claim number and ask what they need. Write down who you talked to and when. 6. **Dry it out within 24 to 48 hours.** Remove standing water, run fans and a dehumidifier, and pull up soaked carpet. After a day or two, mold can start to grow. 7. **Keep every receipt.** Plumber, fans, hotel, cleanup. Insurance often pays for reasonable steps you took to stop more damage. 8. **What does insurance usually cover?** Sudden bursts are often covered. Rising water from outside usually needs separate flood insurance. Sump pump backups often need an add-on to your policy. 9. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Shut off the main water valve - Stay away from water near outlets - Take photos and video - Call your insurance company - Dry it out within 24 to 48 hours - Keep every receipt ## Stop the water Find the main shut-off valve, usually where the water line enters the house, near the meter, in the basement, a garage or a utility closet. Turn it clockwise until it stops. ## Stay safe Don’t walk through water near outlets or the electrical panel. Turn power off only from a dry spot; otherwise call the power company. ## Document everything Take photos and video of the water, where it came from, and damaged walls, floors and belongings, before you clean up. ## Call your insurer Get a claim number and ask what they need. Write down names and dates. ## Dry it fast Remove standing water, run fans and a dehumidifier, and pull up soaked carpet and padding. Mold can start in a day or two. For large areas or dirty water, call a water damage restoration company. ## What’s usually covered Sudden, accidental bursts are often covered. Damage from slow leaks usually isn’t. Rising water from outside needs flood insurance, and sump pump backups often need an add-on. ## Common questions ### Can I stay in the house after a flood? If the power is safe, there’s no sewage, and the structure is sound, often yes. If not, ask your insurer whether your policy pays for a hotel while repairs happen. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/can-i-stay-in-the-house-after-a-flood ### Should I throw away wet things right away? Photograph them first and ask your insurer. They may want to see damaged items or a list before you throw them away. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/should-i-throw-away-wet-things-right-away ### Where is my main water shut-off valve? Usually where the water line enters the house: near the water meter, in the basement or crawlspace, a garage, or a utility closet. In warm areas it may be outside near the foundation. Find it before you need it. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/where-is-my-main-water-shut-off-valve ### Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe? Often yes, when the burst is sudden and accidental. Damage from a slow leak or poor upkeep is usually not covered. Read your policy or ask your agent. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-a-burst-pipe ### Does insurance cover a flooded basement from a sump pump? Often only if you have a “water backup” add-on to your policy. Without it, many standard policies won’t pay. Check before the next storm. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/does-insurance-cover-a-flooded-basement-from-a-sump-pump ### How long does it take mold to grow after a leak? It can start in 24 to 48 hours if things stay wet. Drying quickly is the best way to prevent it. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/how-long-does-it-take-mold-to-grow-after-a-leak ### Should I hire a restoration company or clean it myself? Small, clean-water spills you can often handle with fans and a wet vac. For large areas, sewage, or water inside walls, a restoration company has the equipment to dry it properly. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/should-i-hire-a-restoration-company-or-clean-it-myself ### Who pays if the leak came from my upstairs neighbor? Often the neighbor’s insurance, if their pipe or appliance caused it. Report it to your own insurer too; they can sort it out between companies. Source page: https://explained.page/burst-pipe-flooded-basement/questions/who-pays-if-the-leak-came-from-my-upstairs-neighbor ## Official sources - [FloodSmart (National Flood Insurance Program)](https://www.floodsmart.gov/) - [EPA: mold and moisture](https://www.epa.gov/mold) - [Ready.gov: floods](https://www.ready.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your city] water damage restoration" - "[your state] department of insurance claim help" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.