If you have a burst pipe, shut off your home’s main water supply immediately — that single action stops most of the damage. Then call a licensed emergency plumber. Do not wait to see if the leak slows on its own; a burst pipe can release dozens of gallons per minute and cause structural damage, mold, and electrical hazards within hours. Done! offers 24/7 emergency plumbing service throughout Denver and the Front Range.

Step One: Find and Close the Main Shutoff

Your main water shutoff is typically located where the water line enters the house — often in a utility room, crawl space, basement, or near the water meter. In many Denver-area homes, there’s a shutoff inside and another at the meter pit near the street. Turn the indoor valve clockwise until it stops. If it’s a ball valve (a lever handle), rotate it 90 degrees so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. Once the main is closed, open a faucet at a low point in the house to drain remaining pressure from the lines.

Step Two: Address Immediate Safety Hazards

If water is near your electrical panel, outlets, or any appliances, do not enter that area until the power to that circuit — or the whole home if needed — has been shut off at the breaker panel. Standing water and live electrical wiring is a life-threatening combination. If you’re not certain the area is safe, wait outside and let the plumber and, if necessary, the fire department assess it. Also turn off your water heater at its shutoff or breaker to prevent the unit from dry-firing once the lines are drained.

Why Burst Pipes Are More Common in Denver Than Many Homeowners Expect

Denver’s temperature swings are dramatic — a day that starts at 50°F can drop to single digits overnight, and the city averages around 300 days of sunshine that causes freeze-thaw cycling even in shoulder seasons. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawl spaces, garages, and those running near exterior corners are the highest-risk locations. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands with enormous force — the pipe itself often doesn’t burst at the frozen section but at a weak point downstream where pressure has nowhere to go.

What to Do While Waiting for the Plumber

  • Photograph the damage for your insurance claim before any cleanup begins
  • Move valuables, electronics, and furniture out of the affected area
  • Use mops, towels, or a wet/dry vacuum to begin removing standing water if it’s safe to do so
  • Open windows or run fans to begin drying — mold can begin developing within 24–48 hours in wet drywall
  • Note where the pipe appears to have failed so you can direct the plumber quickly

What the Repair Involves

A plumber will locate the burst section, cut out the damaged pipe, and splice in new pipe using the appropriate fitting method for your system — copper, CPVC, PEX, or galvanized steel depending on what’s in your home. Older Denver homes may have galvanized steel pipes that have been corroding internally for decades; a single burst is often an indicator that the pipe system is near end of life. A licensed plumber can assess whether a spot repair will hold long-term or whether a partial repipe would be the more cost-effective solution.

Preventing Future Freezes

After the immediate repair, ask your plumber about freeze prevention — adding pipe insulation in vulnerable areas, rerouting exposed runs, or installing a smart water shutoff device that detects unusual flow and closes the main automatically. These upgrades are far less expensive than a second emergency visit.

Done! responds to burst pipe emergencies across Denver 24 hours a day. Visit our emergency plumbing page to call now, or learn about long-term solutions on our pipes and line services page.