A burst pipe is one of the most damaging emergencies a home can have. Water spreads through drywall, flooring, and insulation in minutes, and mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. What you do in the first hour makes a major difference in how much damage — and cost — you’re left with. Here are the five steps we recommend to every homeowner in Northern Virginia.
1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve
Find your home’s main water shutoff valve — usually in the basement, a utility room, or near the water meter — and turn it off. This stops more water from entering the pipe and limits the flooding. If you can’t find it or it won’t turn, call your water utility or a plumber right away.
2. Turn Off Power to Affected Areas — Safely
If water is anywhere near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, shut off power to those areas at the breaker box — but only if you can do so without standing in water. If it’s not safe, stay out of the area and wait for professionals.
3. Call a Certified Restoration Company
Water extraction and structural drying need to start fast. Prime Home Tech LLC is IICRC and OSHA certified in water damage restoration, and we respond within 2 to 4 hours across Northern Virginia and Washington DC once we have your address and contact information. We extract standing water, set up professional drying equipment, and apply antimicrobial treatment to help prevent mold.
4. Document Everything for Insurance
Before you move or throw anything away, take photos and video of every affected room, the source of the water, and damaged belongings. Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage like a burst pipe, and good documentation makes the claims process much smoother. Save receipts for any emergency expenses.
5. Move What You Can and Start Removing Water
Move dry belongings, rugs, and furniture out of the wet area if it’s safe. You can mop or towel up small amounts of water, but skip the household vacuum — it’s not made for standing water and can be dangerous. Then let the drying equipment do the rest.
What Not to Do
Don’t wait a few days to ‘see if it dries.’ Hidden moisture inside walls causes mold and structural damage. Don’t tear out wet drywall yourself — you can spread mold spores and contaminated material through the house. And don’t ignore a small leak that seems minor; slow leaks are one of the most common causes of the mold jobs we remediate.
Prime Home Tech LLC serves Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Woodbridge, and the Washington DC area with water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire cleanup. If you’re dealing with a burst pipe right now, call us at 703-881-8864 or send a request through our quote form and we’ll get you scheduled right away.