Print the burst-pipe incident record
For a suspected burst pipe, first leave any area with water near electricity, gas odor, structural movement, wastewater, or an unsafe route. If safe, use only a known private shutoff without force, call the appropriate plumber or building contact, document the visible condition, and begin damage mitigation only within the boundary given by emergency, utility, electrical, plumbing, restoration, and insurance professionals.
Do not enter a sagging ceiling area or water near electrical equipment. Do not puncture ceilings, force valves, use heat or flame, or apply a permanent patch as an emergency experiment.
- Safety hazards override the shutoff plan.
- Use a known private control—never a guessed meter, curb stop, shared, gas, fire, or well control.
- Photograph visible conditions before cleanup when safe.
- Separate stabilization, diagnosis, repair, drying, restoration, and insurance decisions.
- Ask for a written finding and a documented follow-up test.
Six separate decisions after a burst
| Decision | Question | Typical record |
|---|---|---|
| Stabilization | Is flow and immediate danger controlled? | Responder instruction and shutoff status |
| Diagnosis | What component failed and what evidence supports it? | Written plumbing finding |
| Permanent repair | What scope, access, permit, and test are required? | Proposal, approval, permit, final test |
| Drying | What materials and moisture require mitigation? | Moisture map and drying log |
| Restoration | Who restores walls, cabinets, flooring, or contents? | Separate restoration scope |
| Coverage/responsibility | Which policy, contract, or governing document applies? | Notice, claim, decision, and correspondence |
Observation and decision record
Use this sheet to organize facts and professional findings. It does not diagnose the property, assign responsibility, or replace current emergency, utility, legal, permit, or professional instructions.
Create an evidence packet without delaying safety
Scene
- Wide and close safe photos
- Time discovered and last known normal
- Rooms, fixtures, units, and contents affected
System
- Known control used
- Failed component if identified by a professional
- Prior symptoms, repairs, freezes, storms, or work
Response
- Every call and instruction
- Mitigation start and vendor
- Written diagnosis, repair, retest, and remaining limits