If a pipe bursts in your Addison, TX home, shut off the water at the main valve first, then deal with power, photos and valuables. Every minute the pipe runs adds gallons to floors, walls and ceilings.
A burst pipe is usually clean supply water at first, which is the easiest kind to dry if you act fast. Below is the 30-minute order of operations, why pipes burst in a freeze, what a crew does on arrival, and what insurance generally expects.
The first 30 minutes, in order
Do these in order. If anything feels unsafe, skip ahead to the call.
- Shut off the water at the main. Turn the whole-house valve clockwise until it stops. If you cannot find it, close the fixture shutoff for the broken line, or call the Town for an emergency turn-off (details in the local section below).
- Check the electrical risk before you walk in. If water is near outlets, a panel, or dripping from a light fixture, stay out. Cut power at the breaker only if the panel is dry and you can reach it without stepping in water. Otherwise call 911 or the electric utility first.
- Open a faucet at the lowest point. Once the main is off, draining the lines relieves pressure and sends residual water out of the house instead of through the break.
- Photograph and video everything. Capture the broken pipe, the water line on walls, wet furniture and flooring before you move anything. Wide shots first, then close-ups.
- Move valuables and lift what you can. Get electronics, documents, rugs, and small furniture to a dry room. Put foil or plastic under furniture legs you cannot lift.
- Remove standing water you can safely handle. Towels, mops and a wet vacuum help with a shallow spread. Keep pets and kids out of the wet zone.
- Call for help. Call the 24/7 line and describe the break, how long it ran, and which rooms are wet. A plumber fixes the pipe, and a restoration crew removes water and dries the structure.
Finding the shutoff when you are panicking
Most people have never touched their main valve. The Town of Addison's shutoff-help guidance says an inside universal shutoff is typically in a garage, laundry room or closet. A yard valve may sit under a green plastic cover in a flower bed.
Practice once on a calm day. Turn it, mark it with a tag, and confirm it closes fully. A valve that has not moved in a decade can stick, which is a good thing to learn before the pipe bursts.
Why pipes burst in a Texas freeze
Water expands as it turns to ice. The ice plug itself is not usually what splits the pipe. Pressure builds between the ice and a closed faucet, and the pipe wall gives way. The break often shows up only after the thaw, when water starts moving again.
The February 2021 event shows how long a freeze can last. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth reported freezing drizzle on Feb 11 to 12, a winter storm Feb 14 to 17, a low of -2 F at DFW Airport on Feb 16, and 5.0 inches of snow there. Two separate stretches stayed at or below freezing for 93 hours and 139 hours. Pipes in attics and garages got no relief for days.
Pipe burst and water still spreading? Do not wait. Call the 24/7 line and describe what you see.
☎ (972) 945-2885Safety around water and power
Water and electricity do not mix, and a flooded house can hide live circuits.
- Do not stand in water to reach a breaker panel.
- Do not use a regular vacuum or any plugged-in appliance in wet areas.
- If you smell gas or see sparks, leave and call 911.
- Treat water from a sewer line or toilet backup as contaminated and stay out.
- Keep an eye on ceilings. A bulging or sagging ceiling may hold gallons and can drop.
What a restoration crew does when it arrives
A crew starts by confirming the water is off and the area is safe. Then it maps the damage with moisture meters and a thermal camera, since wet insulation and wall cavities look dry from outside.
Extraction comes next, using portable pumps or truck-mounted units. After that, air movers and LGR dehumidifiers go in, and wet baseboard, carpet padding or drywall may be removed. Moisture is logged daily until the structure reads dry, usually over several days. Our emergency water removal page explains the process, and water damage cleanup covers sanitizing and contents.
The plumber and the restoration crew are separate trades. We dispatch restoration professionals, and the pipe repair itself belongs to a licensed plumber.
What insurance generally expects
The Texas Department of Insurance says most homeowner and renter policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe. They usually do not cover gradual leaks, and floods need a separate flood policy.
- Turn the water off at the main and move expensive items off the floor. TDI notes an insurer may deny a claim if you do not protect your property.
- Photograph or video the damage before repairs and keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, but hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer inspects.
- Dry the area promptly, pull up wet carpets and rugs, and keep every receipt.
- Report hidden damage quickly. TDI says that usually means within days of first seeing it.
Check your policy or ask your insurer about your own coverage. We do not promise approval or state payouts.
What this means in Addison
The Town of Addison utilities page says that for an emergency water turn-off, an operator will be dispatched immediately, there is no charge, and Town crews are available 24 hours. The Town also says only an authorized agent may turn water on or off at the water meter. If your inside valve is stuck, call the Town rather than wrenching the meter yourself.
The Town's inclement-weather page adds that it is available on an emergency basis to shut off water for a leak or burst pipe, and it recommends turning sprinklers off when a freeze is forecast. The professional who repairs the break should turn the water back on.
Source type: Town of Addison utilities and inclement-weather pages
After the water is off
Burst pipes are not a neighborhood problem, they are a house problem, and the same sequence applies in Coppell and Richardson as in Addison. Dry fast, document well, and ask any company whether its crews work to the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard for water damage restoration.
Frequently asked questions
Only if the panel is dry and you can reach it without standing in water. If water is near outlets or the panel, stay out and call 911 or the utility before anyone else.
The Texas Department of Insurance says mold can start growing within a day after a leak. That is why drying begins right away rather than after the repair quote.
Shut off the water yourself first. Then call both. The plumber stops and repairs the leak, and the restoration crew removes water and dries the structure.
Small, shallow spills of clean water, yes. Wet insulation, soaked drywall and carpet padding hold moisture you cannot see, so a moisture check is wise.
Sudden and accidental damage is often covered, but check your policy or ask your insurer. Protect the property and document everything either way.
The Town of Addison says it is available on an emergency basis for leaks and burst pipes, with crews available 24 hours and no charge. Only an authorized agent may turn water on or off at the meter.
Still have questions about this? Dispatch answers around the clock, and the dispatcher can explain next steps.
☎ (972) 945-2885