Right Now: Shut Off the Water
Find your main water shutoff valve and turn it off immediately. Every minute of delay adds gallons of water to your home. In most South Florida homes, the main shutoff is near the water meter at the street (look for a round or rectangular cover in the ground near your front curb) or on an exterior wall near the water heater. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you can't find or turn the main shutoff, turn off the valve at the water meter itself — you may need a water meter key (available at hardware stores for $10).
Cut the Electricity to Affected Areas
If water is near any electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring, go to your electrical panel and turn off the breakers for the affected areas. If you can't reach the panel safely — if you'd have to walk through standing water to get there — call your power company's emergency line to cut power remotely. Do not touch any electrical switches or devices that are wet or standing in water.
Open Faucets to Drain the System
After shutting off the main supply, open several faucets throughout the house to drain any remaining water from the pipes. This relieves pressure in the system and reduces the amount of water still flowing from the burst pipe. Start with the lowest faucet in the house and work upward.
Move Valuables to Dry Areas
While waiting for help, move electronics, documents, photographs, and valuable items away from the water. Lift items off the floor onto tables, counters, or upper shelves. Place aluminum foil or plastic wrap under wooden furniture legs sitting in water to prevent staining. Move area rugs to dry areas if possible — wet rugs left on hardwood or laminate floors will cause permanent damage.
Document the Damage
Before any cleanup begins, take photos and video of everything. Show the burst pipe location, the extent of water spread, all affected rooms, and any damaged belongings. Include timestamps on your photos. This documentation is essential for your insurance claim and cannot be recreated after cleanup starts.
Call for Professional Help
A burst pipe in South Florida requires professional response for two reasons: the volume of water exceeds what consumer equipment can handle, and our humidity ensures mold growth within 24-48 hours without industrial drying. Do not rely on towels, a mop, or a shop vacuum for anything beyond a very small area. Professional water extraction and structural drying equipment will prevent the pipe burst from becoming a mold problem.
Don't Wait — Damage Compounds by the Hour
Call Dry Rely at (954) 289-1774 right now for 24/7 emergency burst pipe response. We arrive within 60 minutes anywhere in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and begin extraction immediately. Contact us online if you prefer.