What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your DFW Home

A burst pipe can dump 50 gallons of water into your home within minutes. What you do in those first 60 minutes determines whether you spend $1,500 or $30,000 on restoration. Here is exactly what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

The water needs to stop before anything else matters. Every DFW home has a main water shut-off valve, usually located:

• In the front yard near the street, in a covered metal box (most common in Southlake, Westlake, and Trophy Club)
• In the garage near the water heater
• Where the main supply line enters the house, often a basement or utility room
• For homes with city water, turn the valve clockwise (right) until it stops

If you cannot find or operate the valve, call your city water department immediately. Southlake: (817) 748-8051. Colleyville: (817) 503-1110. They can shut off water at the meter.

Step 2: Cut the Power if Water Reaches Outlets

Water and electricity is the most dangerous combination in a flooded home. If water has reached any electrical outlets, light fixtures, or appliances, cut the breaker for that part of the house. If the breaker box itself is in a flooded area, do NOT enter the water. Stay back and call 911 or your electric company.

Common Oncor outage and emergency line: 888-313-4747.

Step 3: Document Everything for Insurance

Before you start moving things, take photos and videos. Insurance adjusters need to see the damage in its original state. Photograph:

• The source of the leak (the broken pipe itself)
• Standing water depth at multiple points
• All affected rooms from multiple angles
• Damaged furniture, electronics, flooring, drywall
• Any visible water lines on walls

This documentation can mean the difference between a smooth claim and a denied one.

Step 4: Call a Restoration Company (Not Your Insurance First)

This is counterintuitive but important. Call a restoration company FIRST, before your insurance. Why?

• Mitigation needs to start within hours to prevent mold (Texas humidity makes this faster than most regions)
• Most insurance policies REQUIRE you to mitigate damage promptly
• A reputable restoration company communicates directly with your adjuster
• Waiting on insurance to dispatch could cost you 24-48 hours and thousands more in damage

Call Flood Titan at 817-95-FLOOD. We arrive in 60 minutes anywhere in DFW, document professionally for your insurer, and start water extraction immediately.

Step 5: Move Valuables to Higher Ground

While waiting for help to arrive, move what you can:

• Lift furniture legs onto wood blocks or aluminum foil to prevent staining and rust transfer
• Move electronics, books, and important documents to dry rooms
• Take rugs outside if possible
• Open windows in the affected area if humidity allows (Texas summers, keep them closed)

Do NOT use a regular vacuum to suck up water. Do NOT enter rooms with sagging ceilings. Do NOT turn on ceiling fans in flooded rooms.

The Bottom Line

The first hour after a pipe burst is the most important hour in your restoration. Act fast on the water shut-off, document everything, and get a professional restoration team on-site. Most water damage is fully recoverable with prompt action, but the timeline is short.

Save this guide. Save our number. 817-95-FLOOD. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year across the entire DFW metroplex.

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