When a pipe bursts, stop the water if it is safe, address electrical concerns, reduce additional water movement, protect accessible belongings, document the damage, and contact the appropriate professionals.

Follow these six steps:

1. Shut off the main water valve. Stop additional water from entering the plumbing system as quickly as possible when the valve can be reached safely.
2. Turn off electricity to wet areas when it is safe. If water has reached outlets, appliances, wiring, or electrical equipment, turn off power only from a dry location. Do not enter standing water to reach a breaker panel.
3. Open faucets after the water is shut off. Opening hot and cold faucets may help relieve remaining pressure and allow water still in the lines to drain.
4. Move accessible belongings away from the wet area. Relocate lightweight valuables, electronics, documents, rugs, or furniture only when there is a safe path to do so.
5. Document visible damage. Take photographs or video of the affected rooms, wet materials, and visible source when it is safe. This documentation may be useful for the property owner’s records and any insurance discussion.
6. Call a plumber and a restoration company. A plumber addresses the pipe itself. CleanPro handles the resulting water damage through extraction, drying, repairs, and reconstruction when required.

Homeowners should take immediate steps to reduce further damage while arranging for the damaged pipe to be repaired by a qualified plumbing professional.

Water damage restoration does not always need to wait until the plumbing repair is fully completed. In many cases, the pipe repair and water removal process can be coordinated so extraction, drying, and other restoration work can begin as soon as conditions allow.

CleanPro is available 24/7 for emergency water damage calls. Response times may vary depending on location, current conditions, and the nature of the loss.

How to Tell If Your Pipes Are Frozen

A frozen pipe may cause reduced water flow, no water flow, visible frost, unusual pipe appearance, or other changes in normal plumbing operation.

Common warning signs include:

• No water or only a trickle: Little or no flow from a faucet during freezing conditions may indicate a frozen section of plumbing.
• Frost on an exposed pipe: Visible frost or ice on accessible plumbing can indicate that the pipe is freezing.
• A bulging or distorted section: A swollen, split, or misshapen section may indicate pressure or freeze-related damage.
• Unusual noises: Changes in plumbing sounds can occur when water movement or pressure is disrupted.
• Unusual drain odors: Odors may sometimes accompany a frozen drain or vent issue, although they do not confirm a frozen supply line.
• Damp drywall or unexplained water stains: Moisture may indicate that a pipe has already cracked or begun leaking.

If one faucet has little or no water flow during freezing weather, check other fixtures in the property as well. When several faucets are affected, more than one section of plumbing may have been exposed to cold temperatures.

Pipes are often more vulnerable in unheated or poorly insulated areas, including exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces, attics, cabinets, and other colder parts of the building. If you suspect a frozen or damaged pipe, a qualified plumbing professional can inspect the plumbing system while CleanPro addresses any resulting water damage.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely

A frozen pipe should be thawed carefully using gentle heat, and open flames should never be used.

This section is provided as general homeowner education. CleanPro is not being presented as a plumbing or pipe-thawing contractor.

If a frozen pipe is accessible and there is no visible break, the following general steps may be appropriate:

1. Open the affected faucet. Leaving the faucet open may provide a path for water and pressure as the frozen section begins to thaw.
2. Locate the suspected frozen section. Check accessible areas where plumbing runs through colder parts of the home.
3. Apply gentle heat. Common educational guidance includes using warm towels, an electric heating pad, or a hair dryer when electrical conditions are safe.
4. Monitor for leaks. Stop if water begins escaping from the pipe or surrounding wall, ceiling, or cabinet area.
5. Check nearby plumbing. Other exposed lines may also have been affected by the same freezing conditions.

Never use a torch, open flame, charcoal device, or similar high-heat method to thaw plumbing. These methods can damage the pipe or create a fire hazard.

Do not use electrical heating equipment in standing water or near wet electrical connections.

When the frozen section is hidden, inaccessible, visibly damaged, or cannot be thawed safely, a qualified plumber should evaluate the pipe.

A plumber handles the frozen or damaged pipe; CleanPro handles the resulting water extraction, drying, cleanup, repairs, and reconstruction.

The Water Damage After a Pipe Burst

CleanPro handles the water-damage restoration side of burst-pipe losses, including extraction, structural drying, repairs, and reconstruction when needed.

Water can move beyond the area where the pipe actually broke. A plumbing failure on an upper level may affect flooring, walls, and ceilings below. A leak inside a cabinet or wall can also travel into adjoining materials before becoming visible.

Moisture may remain:

• Beneath flooring
• Behind baseboards and trim
• Inside drywall
• Around cabinets
• Between building levels
• In insulation or framing
• Near electrical components
• In other concealed building materials

Once the water source has been controlled or is being repaired, the restoration process can begin. CleanPro can assess the affected areas, remove standing water, start structural drying, monitor moisture levels, and identify which materials may be restored and which may need repair or replacement.

Many straightforward water damage projects can be completed in about three days, although larger or more complex losses may take longer. The timeline depends on factors such as how far the moisture has spread, the materials affected, drying conditions, and whether reconstruction is needed.

A water damage restoration team can handle the property-restoration side of the loss, including extraction, drying, repairs, and reconstruction. If significant standing water is present, see Emergency Water Removal for more information.

Moisture that remains in building materials for too long can also create conditions that support mold growth. Prompt drying can help reduce that risk and prevent additional damage.

Will Insurance Cover a Burst Pipe?

Homeowners insurance may cover certain sudden and accidental water damage caused by a burst pipe, but coverage depends on the terms of the policy, the cause of the loss, any exclusions, and the insurance carrier’s review.

A sudden pipe failure may be handled differently from damage caused by a long-term leak, poor maintenance, or other excluded conditions. Freeze-related claims can also depend on the policy and the circumstances surrounding the loss.

Coverage for the resulting water damage may also be different from coverage for repairing the failed pipe itself. Your insurance carrier will determine whether the loss is covered, what deductible applies, which repairs qualify, and what payment may be available under the policy.

If it is safe to do so, take photos of the visible damage, report the loss to your insurance company promptly, and keep records of plumbing repairs and restoration work.

CleanPro can document the visible restoration conditions and provide relevant project information to the property owner and insurance company during the restoration process.

For a broader explanation, see Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage? Claims, Coverage, and Exclusions.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Illinois Winters

Homeowners can reduce frozen-pipe risk by protecting exposed plumbing, maintaining indoor heat, and preparing vulnerable water lines before severe cold.

The following are general winter-prevention recommendations rather than CleanPro service guarantees:

• Insulate exposed plumbing. Pipe insulation may help reduce heat loss around plumbing in colder areas.
• Seal cold-air leaks. Check for drafts or openings near plumbing runs, exterior walls, doors, or utility penetrations.
• Open cabinet doors. Allow warmer indoor air to circulate around pipes beneath sinks during severe cold.
• Let a vulnerable faucet drip when appropriate. A small amount of water movement may help reduce freezing risk in certain conditions.
• Keep the thermostat consistent. Avoid large indoor temperature drops during extreme cold.
• Maintain indoor heat while away. General Red Cross winter guidance recommends keeping the home heated when traveling during freezing weather.
• Close garage doors. This can help protect plumbing located in or next to unheated garages.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses. Exterior hose connections and related plumbing should be prepared for winter according to the home’s plumbing setup.
• Plan for vacant properties. Arrange appropriate winterization, heating checks, or monitoring when a home will be unoccupied.
• Know the main shutoff location. Property owners should know how to stop the water supply quickly if a line fails.

These recommendations are educational. For plumbing-specific winterization advice, consult a qualified plumbing professional.

If winter weather leads to water damage inside the property, CleanPro can evaluate the restoration needs and determine the appropriate scope.