water leak chaos: shut-off valve or plumber call?

"Had a pipe burst last night, water everywhere... total nightmare."

Been there, done that - definitely not fun. First thing I'd do is shut off the main valve ASAP to stop the chaos. Then, assess the damage: if it's something straightforward like a cracked joint or small section of pipe, I'll DIY a temporary fix (hello duct tape and clamps!). But if it's major or tricky to reach, calling a plumber saves headaches down the line. Learned that lesson the hard way...

Duct tape isn’t a reliable repair for a pressurized pipe, even as a temporary fix. After shutting off the water, use only a clamp suitable for that pipe and leak if you can fit it safely; otherwise, leave the repair to a plumber.

If a suitable clamp stopped a small, accessible leak temporarily, would you still call a plumber promptly to make the repair lasting, or wait and see how it holds?

I’d arrange the plumber promptly rather than wait to see how long the clamp holds. I’d treat it as containment, not a lasting repair; once the immediate leak is controlled, getting the underlying repair done seems worth the peace of mind.

If standing water is near outlets, appliances, or wiring, stay out of it and don’t approach the main valve through the water. Get appropriate emergency or electrical help; shutoff advice only applies when the valve is safely reachable.

I agree the clamp shouldn’t be treated as a lasting repair, though I wouldn’t equate arranging a plumber promptly with paying for an emergency call in every case. If the leak is contained, keeping the water off while booking a normal repair can avoid relying on the clamp; restore it once the repair is complete and can be checked.