How to Deal with a Burst Pipe
Do you know how to deal with a burst pipe? Somewhere in your lifetime as a homeowner or tenant, you can experience the shock of coming home from work only to find a flooded floor. Experts say signs of a burst pipe include fluctuating water pressure, puddles under your sinks, clunking pipe noises behind walls, and a spike in your water bill. When you see these signs, act immediately to minimize future damage.
You will need professional help if the burst pipe is hidden behind a wall, but there are emergency steps you can take to address the main problem. We discuss those steps here and what to do after a pipe burst.
The Emergency Steps to Addressing a Burst Pipe
Staying safe and taking quick, decisive action is important when you have a burst pipe. Let ‘s take a closer look at your next steps:
- Turn off electrical systems: Safety first means turning off the power to your home, either at your breaker box or at the main shut-off outside the house. Don’t wade through the water to get to your breaker box, as you are in danger of being electrocuted.
- Shut the water off: Turn off the main water shut-off valve, which might be near the water meter or somewhere in your home. Then, open all the faucets in your house to drain water from the pipes and flush the toilets. This will stop further leaks.
- Remove items from the flooded area: Water damage can occur very quickly, so remove as many items as you can from the flooded floor or kitchen cabinets.
- Find the burst pipe: Try to identify the burst pipe, if possible. Your insurance company will need to know the potential source of the damage.
What You Need to Do After a Burst Pipe
Now that the emergency is taken care of, you might wonder how to repair a burst pipe if you intend to do it yourself, or how much the burst pipe repairs will cost if you use a professional. Before you act, there are a few things you need to do first.
- Call your insurance company. Let your insurer know what happened and find out if a claims adjuster needs to visit your house to document the damage or if your photos are sufficient. File the claim as soon as possible.
- Document all the damage. You can never take enough photos of the damage caused by a burst pipe, so document everything the water touched. Videos are also very effective.
- Start the burst pipe cleanup. Mold and mildew start growing within 24 to 48 hours, making it vital to dry up the water as soon as possible. You can do it yourself or get an approved contractor.
If you’d like more information on dealing with a burst pipe or need affordable plumbing supplies because you are fixing a burst pipe, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today or visit our website at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/
