Things to Do About a Burst Pipe Homeowners have more control over pipe bursts than they think. While actual repairs must be left for professionals, there are some things you are able to do to minimize the water damage. These require little knowledge of plumbing and are quick ways to keep water from important items in your home. Before your plumber arrives, implement these simple tricks. Turn off main. Before anything else, turn off the water supply. You don’t want any new water in the pipe system when there is a burst. The water already in the system is much easier to deal with than any new water. Wait to turn the water back on until the plumber says you are able. Call a plumber. Next, call a plumber. Do this as soon as you are able to keep the damage as minimal as possible. You never know when the plumber is able to come to your home, so call as soon as possible to keep the wait time down. The plumber diagnoses the cause, talks solutions, and fixes the problem. Preventative maintenance also prevents a burst pipe, so schedule maintenance visits throughout the year to keep this problem at bay. Clean the water. Clear away any water quickly to avoid excess water damage. Some water damage is inevitable when a pipe bursts, but the sooner you clean the water, the less likely you experience irreparable damage to your possessions. Fast cleanup also ensures mold and mildew don’t grow. The longer the water stays, the more likely these substances are to grow.