What to Do in the First Hour After a Burst Pipe
· 5 min read · Water Damage
A calm, step-by-step checklist for the first 60 minutes after a burst pipe in your Marysville or Snohomish County home.
Shut off the water
Find your main shut-off valve — usually near the water heater, in a crawlspace, or where the line enters the house. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
If you can't find it, your city meter box at the curb has a shut-off too.
Kill power to wet areas
If water is near outlets, cords, or the panel, switch off breakers for those rooms. Never stand in water to reach a panel — wait for a professional.
Document before you clean
Take photos and video of every wet room, ceiling, and belonging. Insurers rely on this evidence, and it costs you nothing to capture.
Call a restoration company
Drywall and flooring begin to wick water within minutes, and mold can start in 24–48 hours. Professional extraction and drying equipment is what stops secondary damage.