A burst pipe releases water fast. A single break in a pressurised supply line can dump hundreds of litres into a room within minutes, and the damage spreads quickly from the carpet surface down through the underlay and into the subfloor. Our 24-hour emergency response team handles burst pipe flooding regularly, and the steps you take in the first hour make a significant difference to what can be saved. Here is exactly what to do.
Turn Off the Water Immediately
Your first action is to stop the source. Every second the pipe is running, more water enters the property. Locate your main water shutoff valve, which is typically near the water meter at the front of the property or under the kitchen sink, and turn it off completely. If you are in a unit or apartment and cannot access the main shutoff, contact building management immediately.
Once the water is off, you can assess the situation safely. Do not enter the room if water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or the switchboard. Turn off power to the affected area at the circuit breaker before entering.
Call a Professional Water Extraction Service
Call a professional water extraction company before you do anything else to the carpet. Do not attempt to mop up the water with towels or a household vacuum and consider the job done. A burst pipe event typically saturates underlay and subfloor within minutes. The water you can see on the surface is the smaller part of the problem.
Water Extraction Experts operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 853 094 and a technician will be dispatched to your location immediately. Earlier arrival means more of the structure can be saved and dried in place rather than removed.
Document the Damage for Insurance
Burst pipes are typically covered by home and contents insurance in Australia. Before moving anything or starting any cleanup, photograph and video the affected area comprehensively. Capture the wet carpet, any damaged furniture, the location of the burst, and the extent of water spread to walls and adjacent rooms. This documentation supports your claim and reduces the risk of dispute.
Contact your insurer as soon as possible after making the emergency call. Most policies require prompt notification and may require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, which professional extraction satisfies.
Move Furniture Off the Wet Carpet
If it is safe to do so, remove furniture from the wet area before the technicians arrive. Furniture legs cause two types of damage to wet carpet: rust staining from metal feet and tannin staining from wooden legs. Both are notoriously difficult to remove once they set into the carpet fibres.
For heavy furniture you cannot move, place plastic sheeting, aluminium foil, or blocks under the legs to break the contact with the wet carpet.
Open Windows and Doors
Improving airflow in the affected area helps slow surface deterioration while you wait for professional extraction. Open windows and interior doors to allow air movement through the space. Do not use portable heaters or set the room’s heating to high. Warmth combined with high humidity accelerates mould growth.
What the Extraction Team Will Do
When a Water Extraction Experts technician arrives, they will immediately assess the moisture spread using professional meters. They will extract standing water and surface moisture using high-capacity equipment, then deploy air movers and dehumidifiers to begin the drying process for the underlay and subfloor.
The technician will assess whether your underlay can be dried in place or needs replacement, and will advise you clearly before any decisions are made. Daily moisture monitoring continues until every element of the flooring system reaches the verified dry standard.
What About the Plumber?
Once the water is off, get a licensed plumber on-site to repair the burst pipe. The water extraction and the pipe repair are separate jobs. The plumber fixes the source; the restoration team addresses the damage. Both need to happen promptly and in that order.
Burst Pipe Flooding? Call Us Now.
Water Extraction Experts have responded to burst pipe flooding across Australia for over 30 years. We know exactly what needs to happen and in what order to give your property the best chance of a full restoration.
Call 1800 853 094 now, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or contact us online. We are on-site within 60 minutes and ready to act immediately.
