Who should I call for a burst pipe?

Who does what

• Plumber — isolates the failed section, repairs or replaces it, and pressure-tests the fix
• Restoration company — water extraction, structural drying, and mold prevention once the pipe is fixed
• Insurer — coverage determination for sudden, accidental water damage
• Utility — if the break is at or before the meter, which is the utility's responsibility rather than yours

What to tell them

Say whether the water is shut off, where the leak appears, roughly how long it has been running, and whether power is on in the affected area. That information is what most providers use to set dispatch priority, so having it ready before you call speeds up the response.

Calling order for a burst pipe

1. Shut off the water yourself first — don't wait for anyone to arrive to do this.
2. Call a plumber or emergency plumbing matching service for the repair.
3. Call your insurer once the situation is stable, with photos in hand.
4. Call a restoration company if flooring, drywall, or ceilings are saturated.

What a licensed plumber verifies before repairing

• That the section is fully isolated and safe to cut into
• Whether the failure was a one-off (impact, freeze) or a sign of broader pipe deterioration
• Water pressure at the meter, since chronically high pressure is a common repeat cause of bursts

Common mistakes when choosing who to call

Calling a general handyman for a pressurized line repair is a common mistake — a licensed plumber is required for most permanent repairs, and unlicensed work can complicate an insurance claim. Waiting to call your insurer until after repairs are finished can also cost you documentation you need for the claim.