A burst pipe doesn’t give you a warning. One moment everything is normal — the next, water is pouring through a wall, across a floor, or pooling under your house. It’s one of the most stressful plumbing emergencies a homeowner can face, and how you respond in the first few minutes makes a major difference in the damage you’ll deal with.

SOS Plumbing is Horry County’s trusted emergency plumber. Here’s exactly what to do if a pipe bursts in your home — and how we can get you back to normal fast.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Immediately

The moment you suspect a burst pipe, shut off your home’s main water supply. Every homeowner in Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Horry County should know where this valve is before an emergency happens — it’s typically near the water meter, in the garage, or in a utility area where the main line enters the house. Turn it clockwise until it stops. This cuts flow to the entire house and stops the flooding at the source.

Step 2: Turn Off Your Water Heater

Once the main supply is off, turn off your water heater. Gas unit: switch to “pilot.” Electric unit: shut off the breaker. Running a water heater without water flowing through it can damage heating elements or cause dangerous pressure buildup.

Step 3: Open Faucets to Relieve Pressure

Open cold water faucets throughout the house to drain remaining water from the pipes and relieve built-up pressure. This also confirms the shutoff was successful and reduces the water continuing to seep from the burst area.

Step 4: Document the Damage

Before you start mopping, take photos and video of the damage — walls, floors, ceilings, and the burst pipe itself if visible. This documentation matters for homeowner’s insurance claims. Don’t skip it even if you’re anxious to start cleaning up.

Step 5: Call SOS Plumbing

Burst pipe repair is not a DIY job. It requires locating the break, cutting out the damaged section, and installing proper replacement pipe — with the right materials, correct fittings, and tested connections. An improper patch leads to another failure. SOS Plumbing responds to emergencies across all of Horry County, including Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Garden City, and Georgetown County. We arrive fast and get the repair done right the first time.

Why Pipes Burst in South Carolina Homes

  • Aged or corroded pipes — Older galvanized steel and polybutylene pipes degrade and fail without warning
  • High water pressure — Pressure consistently above 80 PSI puts constant stress on pipe walls and joints
  • Tree root intrusion — Roots can crack and collapse buried sewer and supply lines
  • Physical damage — Renovation work, digging, or shifting soil can compromise buried lines
  • Sudden temperature drops — Even brief freezes can crack pipes in uninsulated crawl spaces

Leaks Under the House — A Common Horry County Emergency

Many homes in the Myrtle Beach and Conway area are built on crawl spaces. A leak under the house can go undetected for days before you notice reduced pressure, wet spots in the yard, or a water bill spike. The longer it runs, the more foundation and structural damage can result. Don’t wait — call SOS Plumbing and we’ll locate and repair it properly.

24-Hour Emergency Plumbing in Horry County — We’re Ready

Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and neither do we. Call SOS Plumbing now or visit sosplumbingsc.com to reach our emergency team. We serve all of Horry County and Georgetown County — and we’ll be there.

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