TL;DR
- Shut off the main water supply immediately.
- Turn off the electricity if water is near electrical outlets.
- Remove valuables and furniture quickly.
- Call a professional plumber. In Arlington, that means Heiston.
- Start water removal and drying.
- Document damage for insurance.
Pipes don’t wait for convenience. A sudden burst in your Arlington basement can turn a peaceful day into a wet disaster, fast. Acting quickly can stop the damage from multiplying by the minute.
The steps you take now protect your walls, furniture, and foundation. We’ll walk you through the must-dos—short, clear actions that bring order when chaos hits your basement floor.
First Things First: Safety
Before you grab towels or make calls, scan the area. Standing water, exposed wires, and slippery floors can turn a plumbing issue into a dangerous accident within seconds. Safety comes first.
When a pipe bursts, especially in a basement, your first instinct might be panic. That’s normal. But the faster you act, the less damage your home suffers.
Staying calm while thinking ahead keeps you safe and positions you to tackle the situation with clear decisions and fewer hazards down the line. Your first move should always be self-protection.
Shut Off The Main Water Valve
Cutting the water supply is the first real defense. Don’t delay. Find your home’s shut-off valve now, not during the flood. Knowing its location could prevent hundreds of gallons of damage.
- Find the valve near where the main water line enters your home.
- Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- If you don’t know where it is, look near the water heater or in your basement ceiling.
Stopping the water flow quickly limits structural damage, saves possessions, and gives you control over a chaotic event. It’s your best shot at containing the mess before it gets worse.
Kill The Power—Only If Safe
Electricity plus water is a recipe for injury. If water threatens your electrical panel or outlets, don’t take chances. Only shut the power off if you’re completely sure it’s safe to do so.
- If the water is close to outlets or electrical panels, shut off electricity from the main breaker.
- Don’t step into the water to reach the panel.
- If unsafe, wait for professionals.
Don’t gamble with electricity. One wrong move can turn a plumbing issue into a medical emergency. When in doubt, stand back and call for help—your safety outweighs any electrical damage.
Protect What You Can
Once it’s safe to move around, save what matters most. Pull furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the water. Even quick action can keep sentimental or expensive items from being ruined.
- Move furniture, boxes, and electronics.
- Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to avoid staining.
- Use buckets or towels to stop water from spreading.
Prioritize speed and caution. The faster you act, the more you can protect. But don’t risk injury—you can replace items, but your well-being can’t. Do what you can, then move on.
Call The Right People
When the immediate threat is contained, don’t wait. Professional help isn’t optional—it’s urgent. You need experienced people who know what to do and can prevent future problems from forming.
Making the right call early can mean the difference between cleanup and catastrophe. A fast response from experts will stabilize the situation and reduce long-term damage to your property.
Start With A Plumber
The source of the problem needs professional attention. You can mop up all you want, but without fixing the break, the nightmare might come back. Start with a plumber—now.
- Contact an emergency plumbing service.
- In Arlington, call Heiston immediately. We’re fast, local, and we handle crises like this every day.
- Don’t wait. The longer water sits, the worse it gets.
The sooner the leak is repaired, the sooner recovery can start. Plumbing pros handle the root cause while you focus on saving what you can and stopping further damage.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Take pictures of everything. Your future reimbursement depends on what you show your insurance company now. The sooner you file and document damage, the smoother the claim process will be.
- Take photos and videos of the damage.
- Document any items affected: electronics, furniture, and walls.
- Provide a timeline of the incident.
Thorough documentation makes insurance claims smoother. Be clear, organized, and honest—your evidence will shape how much help you receive and how quickly repairs can move forward.
Remove Water & Start Drying
Don’t wait for the plumber to leave. Get rid of standing water right away. Use vacuums, buckets, or anything that works. The faster you dry, the more you can save.
Why Drying Is Urgent
Drying is a race against mold, odors, and decay. Don’t underestimate this part—it’s labor-intensive, but the payoff is a faster return to normal with fewer long-term repair costs.
Water hides. Behind drywall, under carpet, inside floorboards—it’s everywhere. Dehumidifiers and fans aren’t optional; they’re essential. Don’t let moisture linger. Dry aggressively and check everything for dampness.
Ways To Dry Immediately
- Open windows and doors if the weather allows.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers.
- Remove wet carpet padding. You could not save it.
- Peel back baseboards and cut into drywall if it’s wet.
Be relentless with drying. Moisture that stays behind will cause silent damage. Early, thorough drying saves walls, floors, and money—and spares you a mold problem later.
Watch For Hidden Damage
Not all damage screams. It creeps in. A warped floor here, a mildew smell there—keep your eyes and nose sharp for signs that moisture is stuck around. Catch it early.
Not all pipe burst damage is visible. Here’s what to check in the coming days:
- Walls and ceilings: Look for bubbling, cracking, or mold.
- Floors: Warping and soft spots may appear days later.
- Appliances: Dishwashers and washing machines may short out later.
- Air quality: Musty smells = mold. Fast.
Damage doesn’t stop when the water does. Stay vigilant after cleanup to spot issues early. Timely repairs mean smaller bills and a healthier, safer home.
Ways To Prevent Mold Growth
Mold doesn’t wait. It moves fast, loves moisture, and destroys whatever it touches. Get aggressive with cleaning and drying. Treat surfaces and materials to keep future infestations at bay.
The race is on. Mold starts in 24–48 hours.
What To Do
- Use a moisture meter to check walls.
- Keep dehumidifiers running for days.
- Spray affected areas with a mild bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water).
- Don’t just cover the damage—tear it out if needed.
Mold prevention is all about urgency and discipline. Keep air dry, monitor hidden spots, and clean thoroughly. Once mold takes hold, removal is harder, more expensive, and often requires pros.
Heiston Group: Arlington’s Burst Pipe Fixers
When water’s pouring in, you don’t need a Google search—you need a crew that’s fast, local, and ready. That’s us. Heiston Group in Arlington VA, Northern Virginia, handles the mess, so you don’t have to. When a basement pipe bursts, the only number you need is ours.
You’re not alone in this mess. Heiston’s team is your best asset—quick, skilled, and Arlington-based. We bring speed, experience, and peace of mind right when you need it most.
Who We Are
We’re your neighbors who know Arlington’s homes, systems, and quirks. We’ve seen your kind of basement, and we know how to fix it fast and right.
We’re Heiston. A crew of trained, certified plumbers and water restoration experts is right here in Arlington. We know the local water systems. We’ve worked in your neighbors’ homes. We’ve seen it all, fixed it all.
We’re not just service providers—we’re part of your community. When you call Heiston, you get local help with national-level expertise and no runaround—just solid, straight-up support.
What We Do
From water shut-off to full restoration, we cover every part of the emergency. You don’t have to juggle three companies—just call once, and we’ll take it from there.
- Emergency Plumbing: We stop the leak fast and replace broken pipes.
- Water Removal: We bring industrial vacuums, pumps, and drying tools.
- Damage Restoration: We dry, clean, and repair what’s left.
- Mold Prevention: We treat and protect your home from future growth.
- Insurance Coordination: We document everything for smooth claims.
We show up, clean up, and follow through—no gaps, no handoffs. You make one call, we do the rest. It’s how we’ve earned Arlington’s trust.
Why Call Us?
We answer when you call. We show up fast. And we don’t waste your time or money. That’s not a sales pitch—it’s how we’ve earned Arlington’s trust.
- We’re local and arrive fast.
- We answer 24/7. Real humans.
- No upselling. No unnecessary services.
- Honest pricing. Transparent quotes.
You need results, not sales tactics. We’re here to fix, not pitch. When you choose Heiston, you get real help from real people who know what they’re doing.
What To Expect During Repair
We’re not here to slap on a patch and vanish. We walk you through the fix, the cleanup, and how to keep it from happening again—clear, complete, start-to-finish service.
Heiston doesn’t just patch a pipe and leave. We go the distance.
- Inspection – We assess the pipe, damage, and moisture levels.
- Plan – We tell you what needs to be done, how long it’ll take, and what it’ll cost.
- Action – We repair or replace the pipe, extract water, and dry the area.
- Prevention – We recommend any needed upgrades or improvements to avoid a repeat.
You’ll know what’s happening at every step. No guesswork, no surprises—just a clear path from disaster to recovery, handled with skill and transparency.
In Retrospect: You Can Reclaim Your Space
Pipe bursts feel sudden, but preparation and action change the outcome. With this guide and Heiston on your side, you’re not stuck. You’re ready to dry out, rebuild, and move forward.
A flooded basement can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right response and team, you can stop the damage, clean up, and reclaim your space.
