What to do when a pipe bursts

In most Colorado homes the main shutoff is in the basement or crawl space where the water line comes through the foundation wall facing the street, next to the meter. Turn a round handle clockwise until it stops; turn a lever handle a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.

If the house valve won't close, the water can be shut off at the curb stop near the property line, which needs a curb key. Your water utility can shut it off in an emergency.

Open the lowest faucet in the house, often a basement laundry tub or a hose bib, and then the upper faucets to let air in. This drains water out of the broken section faster.

• Gas water heater: turn the control to 'pilot' or 'vacation'
• Electric water heater: switch off its breaker
• Don't drain the tank unless the plumber asks

If water is near outlets, a panel or light fixtures, switch off that circuit at the breaker panel, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Move belongings, lay towels and use a wet vacuum on standing water.

Take photos and video of the leak, the damage and the broken pipe before anything is moved. Keep the damaged section of pipe if the plumber removes it. Insurers usually want to know the cause and the date.

The plumber confirms the water is fully off, finds every split (a freeze often cracks pipe in more than one place), and cuts out the damaged sections. Copper is usually soldered or joined with press fittings; PEX gets new crimp or expansion fittings.

Before walls are closed, the plumber restores pressure slowly and watches the repair. If the pipe froze because it runs in an exterior wall or over a garage, ask about rerouting, insulation or heat cable so it doesn't happen again.

• Locate and expose every break
• Replace damaged pipe and fittings
• Pressure test under full flow
• Recommend freeze protection