What Should You Do About a Burst Pipe Under the Sink?
Close the small shutoff valve under the sink, or the main valve if that one will not turn. Stay out of water near outlets, photograph the damage, then call a plumber for the pipe and a water damage crew to pump out and dry the cabinet, floor and wall.
Stop the Water First
Every minute the pipe runs adds to the loss. The small oval or round valve below the sink usually closes with a clockwise turn.
If the valve is the part that failed, or it will not close, go to the main valve where the water enters the house. Knowing where it is before an emergency saves time.
A valve that is stiff from years of disuse may need steady pressure, not force. If it will not turn, do not fight it for long.
- Turn the sink's shutoff valve clockwise
- Close the main valve if the sink valve fails
- Open the lowest tap to drain the pipes
- Keep clear of hot water spray
- Note the time the water was shut off
Burst Pipe Services That Fit This Question
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What to Do for a Burst Pipe Under the Sink
Close the shutoff valve, stay clear of wet electrics, then bring in a crew to pump out and dry.
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Under Sink Burst Pipe Cleanup
A burst pipe floods the cabinet, then the floor beneath it. Crews pump out the water and dry what it reached.
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Drying Out After a Burst Pipe Under the Sink
Pumps remove the standing water. Dehumidifiers and air movers remove what soaked in, until readings say dry.
Make the Room Safe
Water and electricity do not mix. The dishwasher, disposal and nearby outlets may all sit close to the flooded cabinet.
Cut power to the room only from a dry spot, and never touch a plug that sits in water. If the panel is wet or you have to wade to reach it, stay out and call for help.
Open a window if spilled cleaners give off strong fumes, and keep pets out of the room.
- Do not run the dishwasher or disposal
- Leave plugs alone if they sit in water
- Turn off power from a dry panel only
- Keep children and pets out of the room
- Open windows for air if fumes from spilled products appear
Save What You Can and Document the Loss
Lift stored items out of the cabinet and rugs off the floor. Spilled cleaners should be kept apart, since some products react when mixed.
Before towels and mops cover the evidence, photograph the broken pipe, the cabinet and the wet floor. Insurers usually ask for that record.
Do not toss anything wet until it has been photographed. A list of ruined items, even a rough one, helps a later claim.
- Photos and video of the failed part
- Pictures of every wet surface
- Notes on when the water was found
- The broken hose or valve, kept for the adjuster
- Receipts for supplies and emergency help
Call Two Trades
The plumber handles the pipe, and the water damage crew pumps the water and dries the structure. Once the supply is closed, both can work at the same time.
Call Under Sink Pipe Burst Pros on (888) 578-4720. The crew pumps out the cabinet and floor, maps where the water went and starts drying before the subfloor soaks through.
Tell each caller what you see, how long the water ran and whether the hot or cold side failed. Those details help the crew bring the right gear.
- Plumber for the pipe, hose or valve
- Crew for extraction and structural drying
- Your insurer, once the water is off
- The property manager, if you rent or own a condo
- A note of every call and who you spoke with
Call for burst sink pipe cleanup (888) 578-4720
More Burst Pipe Questions
What Should You Do About a Burst Pipe Under the Sink: More Answers
What if I cannot find the shutoff valve?
Go to the main valve where the supply enters the house. Many homes also have a valve at the water heater or the meter.
Should I try to fix the pipe myself?
A plumber should fix it. Tightening a failed fitting can crack it, and a temporary fix can fail under pressure. Close the valve and let the plumber handle the part.
Is mopping enough?
Not usually. Mopping handles surface water, but water also sits in the cabinet base, subfloor and wall, where a technician with meters can find it.
Can I wait until morning to call?
Waiting lets water soak deeper, and mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. Dispatch runs 24/7, so call as soon as the valve is closed.
Water damage gets worse by the hour. Call now to get under sink burst pipe cleanup started, 24/7.