A burst pipe can be an alarming situation that may significantly damage your property. It can happen whether you are experiencing freezing weather in the winter or there is a pressure buildup inside the pipes, water can flood through a water pipe burst either to your home or business. In cases of burst pipes, one should know the right responses to ensure that any damage is minimal and repairs are not very expensive.
Just continue reading this tutorial and you will know exactly what you need to do when a form of an emergency, like a broken pipe, happens and the first things that you need in order to set your place back on its track. It could be a broken or a burst water pipe, so you should take actions as quickly as possible.
What Causes Pipes to Burst?
Before getting to know what to do when a pipe bursts, there is a need to find out what causes the bursting. Some of the causes of burst pipes may be that of extreme pressure or undergoing freezing temperatures.
Freezing Weather
Freezing temperatures are one of the most frequent reasons why a water pipe bursts.Freezing causes the expansion of water in a pipe. Such increase causes strain on the pipe walls consequently causing cracks or the bursting of the pipe. The frozen pipes are most likely to be found in the areas of your house which lack the heat, i.e. on the attics or in the basement.
Pressure Buildup
The other frequent reason is the pressure accumulation in the pipes. Pipes may over time develop mineral deposits that clog the flow of water leading to pressure build up. The pipe may crack or burst due to a burst pipe when the pressure is too high.
Aging Pipes
Corroded and old pipes are more likely to break. Deterioration of plumbing might result to bursting of water pipes, which may result to significant property damages. These problems can be prevented through frequent inspections of the pipes to identify their areas of weaknesses before they evolve to serious issues.
How Burst Pipes Damage Your Property
When a water pipe breaks in house, water will soon cover your property causing serious damage. The following are the key areas that are affected by the bursting of pipes:
Structural Damage
A burst water pipe inside the house could demolish a ceiling, walls and floors. The escaping water has the capacity to compromise the integrity of your house and put it under unsafe conditions. When pipes get burst, they wet the walls and the ceilings and they start warping or sagging.
Mold Growth
Mold thrives in a humid cool environment. When mold is allowed to grow the toleration is best done wherever there happen to be burst pipes especially when the water is not cleared on time. Mold can begin to grow as early as 24-48 hours in the case of burst water pipes, hence, necessary cleanup must be conducted at once.
Electrical Hazards
The presence of water around electrical outlets or appliances presents an electrical hazard, when the water in question bursts out. The water can run in pressure electrical wires thus leading to short circuiting or even flame. it should also be noted that when a water pipe bursts, switching the power off is advisable when there is a proximity between water and electricity.
Immediate Actions to Take When a Pipe Bursts
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when a pipe bursts and how to control the damage:
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
The first thing that you should do is to turn off the water. Find the main water valve and shut it down. In case you are unable to locate the cause of the burst, it is necessary to switch off the water supply to your house. This will avoid additional damages and flooding due to a water pipe burst in house.
2. Turn Off Electricity
Water and electricity do not go together. When water pipes may have burst near electric outlets or appliances, turn off the power to that region immediately. This is necessary to avoid potential electrocution or damage of the electricity installations.
3. Call a Plumber
Even when you are aware of the location of the leak, the next thing to do is to call a plumber. A plumber will find and fix the broken pipe and make sure that the problem is resolved properly. This will also avert further leakages in future.
4. Contact a Water Restoration Company
After repairing the leak, you are expected to call a water restoration company. These are experts in water damage cleanup, and they will make sure that your house or building is completely dried up and that no mold will grow. A water restoration company will also assist in the documentation that is required in your insurance claim.
5. File an Insurance Claim
Once the cleanup and repairs are done, then it is time to make an insurance claim. In case your broken pipe has led to serious damages, you will have to collaborate with your insurer to pay the repair costs. All damages should be documented and receipts of any repair or restoration services should be kept.
How to Clean Up After a Burst Pipe
At this point, you have turned off the water and electricity, so you can begin the clean-up procedure. The following are the essential steps to follow to ensure your home is properly restored after a burst pipe incident. Cleaning up after a burst pipe requires quick action to minimize water damage, prevent mold growth, and restore your property safely and efficiently.
1. Document the Damage
Photograph the water damage before doing anything. Take photos of the damaged water pipes, wet furniture and any other affected places. This record will play a critical role in making an insurance claim.
2. Remove Affected Items
Begin by taking out furniture, personal belongings and soaked carpets. Floors may be damaged further by wet items and the risk of mold growth is enhanced. In case your items are salvageable, clean them and dry them.
3. Remove Standing Water
In case of standing water, you should eliminate it as soon as possible. Towels or mops can be used to do the job in smaller amounts.In the case of bigger floods, trap out the water by wet-dry vacuum. During cases of extreme flooding, there is a possibility you will have to pay someone with a pump to come and get the water off.
4. Dry the Affected Area
After the water is extracted, the next procedure is to dry the area. Use open windows and doors to promote air circulation. Install fans to assist in ventilation and install a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture in the air. The faster the area is dried, the lower the chance of mold growth.
5. Sanitize the Area
Clean any hard surfaces that were contaminated by the water using a solution of bleach and water. This assists in killing bacteria and mold spores that may be present. In the case of fabrics and carpets, you might consider a professional cleaning service, so that everything is properly sanitized.
Preventing Future Burst Pipes
After the immediate crisis is brought under control, you will want to avoid future water pipe bursting. These are some of the proactive measures to take:
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Exposed pipes are one of the most effective ways of preventing frozen pipes in colder climates. Insulation will save your plumbing in extreme cold and minimize the possibility of a burst pipe.
2. Regular Plumbing Inspections
One of the best methods of detecting any early signs of damage is to have a professional plumber check your pipes on a regular basis. A plumber will be able to detect weak points, seal leaks, and eliminate any mineral deposits that may cause a ruptured pipe.
3. Fix Leaks Promptly
Small leaks can be considered as a small problem but in reality, they can cause bigger problems. A small leak may result in pressure accumulation and a burst water pipe in the end. Repair leaks immediately they are identified to avoid larger problems.
4. Maintain Proper Temperature
Maintain a consistent temperature at your house especially during winters. When you are going on vacation, set your heating system at a low temperature to maintain the temperature above freezing. This will assist in avoiding bursting of water pipes as a result of freezing.
FAQs About Burst Pipes
In case you hear water running without actually being able to locate the source of it, or in case you see wet areas on your walls and ceiling, it is likely that you have a rupture of a pipe hidden in the wall. One should take prompt action to get the assistance of a plumber.
Most of the time, an insurance plan on homeowner policies tends to cover water that is caused by a broken pipe, particularly when it is an abrupt and unforeseen occurrence. Yet, this is subject to differing apartheid, so check your policy.
Unless you manage to clean up water fast, you will expose yourself to mold and your property will be permanently damaged. Fact is that mold may begin growing in as little as 24-48 hours so quick action is vital.
It is very difficult to deal with an exploded pipe, but you can reduce the likelihood of its occurrence by undertaking regular plumbing, insulating pipes, and making repairs in time.
When it comes to the repair of water damage, time taken is subjected to the level of damage. It is commonly possible to approach a professional restoration company to review the situation, and provide you with estimated repair schedule.
Wrapping Up
Water pipe burst may be a stressful situation to deal with, however, when you are aware of what steps to take, you will be able to cope with it. It is important to act quickly, not only to disconnect the water supply but also to call experts to provide plumbing and restorative services. With frequent maintenance of plumbing pipes, wrapping of pipes and timely repairs, the chances of broken pipes in the future will be reduced to smaller extent.
In case you get unfortunate enough to experience burst pipes, remember that time is of the essence, make sure that the damage was properly documented, and have the professionals come to repair your premises to the condition in which it was before the damage occurred.
