I've been responding to burst pipe calls in Birmingham for over 25 years, and I can tell you this: the difference between a manageable mess and catastrophic damage usually comes down to what happens in the first five minutes after you discover the problem.
Most people panic when they see water spreading across the floor. That's completely understandable. But if you know the specific steps to take—in the right order—you can minimize the damage significantly and buy yourself time until help arrives.
The First Five Minutes: Step by Step
Shut Off the Main Water Supply
This is the single most important thing you can do. Every second the water flows, more damage happens. Your main water shut-off valve is usually in one of these locations:
- Crawl space: Most common in Birmingham homes, usually near where the water line enters
- Garage: Often mounted on the wall nearest the street
- Utility closet: Sometimes inside the house near the water heater
- Outside near the meter: As a last resort if you can't find the indoor valve
Turn the valve clockwise (righty-tighty) until it stops. If it's a lever-style valve, turn it 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe.
Turn Off Your Water Heater
Once you shut off the main water, your water heater is still full of hot water with nowhere to go. If it tries to heat that trapped water, you risk damaging the tank. Here's what to do:
For Electric Water Heaters:
Go to your electrical panel and flip the breaker labeled "water heater" to the OFF position. It's usually a 30-amp double breaker.
For Gas Water Heaters:
Find the gas control valve on the water heater (it's usually red or black with temperature settings). Turn it to "PILOT" or "OFF". Don't just turn down the temperature—you need to stop the burner from firing.
Open Faucets to Drain Remaining Water
Even with the main water off, there's still water in your pipes. Opening faucets—especially on lower levels—lets that water drain out instead of sitting in the pipes or continuing to leak from the burst.
Turn on both hot and cold on a few faucets throughout the house. This also releases pressure in the system, which can help slow down any remaining leaking.
Move Valuables Away from Water
Now that you've stopped the water source, look around and move anything valuable or electronic away from the water. This includes:
- • Furniture that could absorb water (especially wood pieces)
- • Electronics, computers, TVs
- • Important documents, photos, papers
- • Rugs and carpets (if you can safely lift them)
Don't try to be a hero here—if something's too heavy or the water is too deep, leave it. Your safety matters more than stuff.
Call a Plumber (Even If It's 3 AM)
A burst pipe isn't something you want to "wait and see" about. Even though you've shut off the water, you still need a plumber to:
- Find the exact location of the burst
- Repair or replace the damaged section
- Check for other vulnerable pipes that might burst next
- Safely restore your water service
When you call, tell them exactly what happened, where the pipe burst (if you know), and whether you were able to shut off the main water. This helps them bring the right materials and get to work faster when they arrive.
Why Pipes Burst (Especially in Birmingham)
Understanding why your pipe burst can help prevent it from happening again. Here are the most common causes I see in Birmingham homes:
Freezing Temperatures
Birmingham doesn't get extended freezes often, but when we do, pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and exterior walls are vulnerable. Water expands when it freezes, and that expansion can split the pipe. Even a small split becomes a big problem once the ice melts and water starts flowing again.
Old Galvanized Pipes
Many Birmingham homes built before 1970 have galvanized steel pipes. These corrode from the inside out, getting thinner and weaker over time. Eventually, they just can't handle normal water pressure anymore and burst—often without any warning.
High Water Pressure
Birmingham Water Works delivers water at high pressure in some neighborhoods—sometimes 80-100 PSI or more. Over time, that constant pressure weakens pipes and fittings. This is especially true if you don't have a pressure-reducing valve installed (most older homes don't).
Tree Root Damage
While tree roots usually affect sewer lines, they can also damage water supply lines running through the yard or crawl space. As roots grow, they put pressure on pipes until something gives.
What NOT to Do During a Burst Pipe Emergency
Don't try to repair the pipe yourself
Temporary fixes like tape or clamps might seem like they work, but they usually fail quickly and you'll be dealing with the same flood all over again—possibly when you're not home.
Don't wait until morning to call if it happens at night
Water damage gets exponentially worse the longer water sits. What might be a $1,500 repair at 2 AM can turn into $15,000 worth of drywall, flooring, and mold remediation by morning.
Don't turn the water back on "to see if it's still leaking"
I've seen people do this, and all it does is create another flood. Leave the water off until a plumber can inspect and repair the damage.
Don't ignore small leaks hoping they'll stay small
Small leaks usually get bigger. A pipe that's leaking a little bit is already damaged and under stress. It's better to fix it now on your schedule than deal with an emergency later.
How to Prevent Burst Pipes
While you can't eliminate the risk entirely, there are practical steps that significantly reduce your chances of dealing with a burst pipe:
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and exterior walls should be insulated with foam pipe insulation. It's inexpensive and makes a huge difference during cold snaps.
Install a Pressure-Reducing Valve
If your water pressure is above 60-70 PSI, a pressure-reducing valve protects your entire plumbing system from stress and extends the life of your pipes dramatically.
Let Faucets Drip During Freezes
When temperatures drop below freezing for more than a few hours, let cold water drip from faucets on exterior walls. Moving water is much less likely to freeze.
Replace Old Galvanized Pipes
If your home still has galvanized pipes and you're planning to stay there, consider repiping with copper or PEX. It's an investment, but it eliminates the most common cause of burst pipes in older Birmingham homes.
Need Help Right Now?
We're available 24/7 for burst pipe emergencies in Birmingham. Call us and we'll walk you through shutting off your water while heading your way.