Find the main shut-off valve where the water line enters your home from the street. It is usually in a metal box near the street, in your basement, or near your water meter. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This stops water from pouring out of the burst pipe.
Turn on the lowest faucet in your house, like a basement or garage tap, and let it run. This drains leftover water from the lines and stops the pressure that was pushing water through the burst.
Temporary fixes fail fast and hide the real damage. A burst pipe needs to be cut out and replaced with new copper, PEX, or steel. A plumber will also find out why it burst.
Wet drywall, insulation, and wood framing can collapse or grow mold. Do not poke at soft spots. Mark the area and wait for the plumber to assess the damage.
Copper and plastic water lines can burst for a few reasons. Pipes installed too close to exterior walls can freeze if that wall is exposed to wind or lacks insulation, though this is rare in Aptos. More often, pipes burst because they were damaged during construction, nicked by a saw or nail, or weakened by corrosion over decades. Once a weak point opens, water sprays out fast and soaks everything around it.
When a burst happens in the crawlspace under your home, you might not notice it right away. Water pools under the house, soaks into the soil, and creeps toward the foundation. You might see soft spots in the floor, a musty smell, or puddles in the crawlspace. A burst in a wall shows up faster: damp patches, discolored drywall, water stains, or the sound of running water even when faucets are off. The longer water runs, the more damage to framing, wiring, and insulation.
A plumber will locate the burst with a pressure test or by opening walls if needed. In older Aptos homes, original copper lines are sometimes corroded from the inside out and fail suddenly. If you have an old home or know your pipes are over 30 years old, consider having them inspected. A camera can see inside the line without opening walls. Catching a corroded line before it bursts saves you from a flooded crawlspace or wet walls.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Aptos plumber: call (831) 555-0101 or send the form. Free, no obligation.