What happens if a pipe bursts under your house?
If a pipe bursts under your house, water spreads through the crawl space or slab, soaks insulation and subfloor, and can damage flooring and walls above. Shut off the main water valve, stop using water, call a plumber to repair the pipe and a restoration team to dry the structure.
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What the water does
A burst supply pipe can release a large volume of water in a short time. Under a house, that water collects in the crawl space or under the slab, soaks insulation and wood framing, and moves into wall bottoms by wicking. Because the leak is out of sight, it may run for hours before you notice a drop in pressure, a wet patch, a rising water bill or the sound of water.
Over the following days the subfloor swells, flooring cups or lifts, insulation loses its value and the damp air can carry mould into other parts of the house. The longer it goes unchecked, the larger the repair becomes.
What to do right away
- Shut off the main water.Know where the main valve is. Turn it fully off and open a tap on the lowest level to let the lines drain.
- Protect electrics.If the water is near the panel, wiring or appliances, keep away and have a licensed electrician make it safe.
- Call a plumber.The pipe has to be repaired or replaced before drying starts, or the area will be wet again.
- Call a restoration team.We extract the water, open the affected areas and dry them with proper equipment, then report readings until the structure is dry.
- Document the loss.Photograph the damage and keep receipts for the plumber and any emergency steps.
Why the repair is two jobs
A plumber fixes the pipe, and a restoration team fixes what the water did. They need each other. Drying cannot finish until the leak is stopped, and a pipe repair does not remove soaked insulation, wet subfloor or damp wall cavities. Our burst pipe service covers the second half, and we coordinate access with your plumber so neither job waits on the other.
If the pipe broke in winter, check other exposed lines in the crawl space and along outside walls, because a freeze that split one pipe may have cracked others.
What the cleanup typically involves
- Extracting standing water from the crawl space or slab
- Removing wet insulation and damaged subfloor sections
- Setting drying equipment and monitoring moisture daily
- Treating surfaces where mould could start
- Rebuilding floors, walls and finishes once dry
Winter pipe breaks
In the Richmond Hill area, most under-house pipe breaks happen in cold snaps, when an unheated crawl space or a poorly insulated wall lets a line freeze and split. The break often shows itself only when the thaw begins, and water can run for a long time before it is noticed. Heat the space gently, keep the main water off until the plumber arrives and keep a record of what you see. Quick action keeps the repair to a section of subfloor and insulation instead of a whole level of the house.
Related questions
Will my insurance company deal with you directly?
Yes. We work with all insurance companies and bill your insurer directly, and we speak with your adjuster for you.
How soon can you arrive?
Our crew can be on site within 45 minutes of your call.
Do I need to move out?
Often not, but we tell you after the assessment whether any rooms should be avoided while the structure dries.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you. In a hurry? Calling is fastest.
Call about a burst pipe
Call us any hour. The assessment is free, and you get a written scope and price before work starts.
Call now (416) 272-3881