5 Ways to Prevent Further Damage From Burst Pipes
>> Jan 18, 2019
Everyone
has tips and suggestions for how to prevent burst pipes, but what happens if
it’s too late for that? When your pipes have already burst due to freezing and
thawing, or some other issue, there are still options to prevent further
damage. You need to contact a plumber as soon as possible to come out and
assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Of course, you’ll
have to wait for them to arrive, so in the meantime there are some things that
you can do. There are also some things you shouldn’t do after
pipes burst,
so keep that in mind as well.
Turn
Off the Water
The
first, and most obvious, solution is to turn of the water in your home. If you
don’t know where the main shutoff is, find your water meter. Usually, the main
shutoff will be in a basement or utility area. It is also near the exterior
walls, as it hooks up to the street lines at the house. Although it will be
difficult to be without water, you cannot guarantee that a partial shut off
will keep the pipe from leaking further.
Clean
Up Standing Water
After
you’ve turned off the water to the house, it’s time to clean up. Water can
cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, so the sooner you get things
dry, the better. Grab buckets, towels, and a mop. Clean up as much of the water
as you can, if you can. This is considered clean water, so there is no danger
to you in the process. Make sure that you check lower levels of the home, as
well as any hard-to-see areas near the burst pipe for standing water or leakage
from the pipe. Standing water can become a breeding ground for mold and other
bacteria, so you don’t want to leave it behind.
Open
Doors and Windows or Use Fans
During
the cleanup process, it can be helpful to open doors and windows to circulate
air. If it is damp outside, this might not be an effective option. Instead,
utilize fans to help dry out the damp area and keep water from soaking into
floors, walls, and other parts of your home. In the event that it will take
time for a plumber to arrive, you can trust that you removed the moisture from
your home so your family is safe.
Open
Faucets
Locate
any faucets below the point of the burst pipe. Open the cold taps on these,
including outside faucets, to completely drain the system. This will alleviate
pressure on the broken or burst pipe and reduce the risk of further water
damage. Make sure that you don’t open faucets above the point of the break
because that will cause water to flow through the broken pipe again, resulting
in further leakage and potential water damage to your home.
Leave
the Actual Pipes Alone
It
is a common misconception that you should apply heat to a frozen or burst pipe
to help it thaw. This is actually one of the worst things that you can do. The
thawing process is what causes pipes to burst in the first place, so if you
continue to heat the pipe, water will continue to flow through. Furthermore,
there could still be ice in the lines, which could become lodged or cause
breaks elsewhere in your plumbing system. The only things you should touch in
your plumbing system while waiting on the professionals are the main shutoff
valve and the faucets you open to drain the system.
Bonus
Tip: Don’t Make These Dangerous and Costly Mistakes
While
you’re waiting on a professional technician to arrive to repair your pipes, you
have some work to do. However, there are many things you should NOT do to avoid
further damage or injury to yourself or others. For starters, make sure that
you turn off any electricity near the point of the break. Leaking water can
easily get into the electrical circuitry of your home and cause a serious
shortage in the system or electrical shock to you or your family.
Don’t
try to fix the pipe yourself before the plumber arrives. This is dangerous to
you because you aren’t experienced in plumbing and handling broken pipes. It is
also dangerous to the pipes, because your lack of experience and knowledge
could cause further damage. It could become quite expensive to fix what might
have been a relatively simple issue if you try to do the work yourself.
Make
sure that you don’t use bleach or cleaners on the floor or walls affected by
water damage. Don’t lift carpeting or try to remove flooring or wall pieces
that may be damaged by the water. Leave all of this to the professional
restoration experts. You can hire them after the pipes have been repaired to
come in and restore the affected areas, clean them thoroughly, and get your
home looking good as new. Take advantage of their professional experience.
Call
a Plumber Right Away
Burst
pipes are serious business. There are a lot of mistakes you could make, even
unknowingly, that could result in bigger damage or expensive repairs. Plus,
trying to fix the work yourself could invalidate your insurance claim if you
are filing one. By calling a licensed, trained professional you will be able to
trust that the work is done right. Use the tips above to help prevent
additional water damage while you are waiting for your plumber to arrive and
you might save yourself a lot of hassle (and money). Contact https://www.conradmartens.com.au/ to learn more.
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