One of the worst nightmares any homeowner can deal with in their property is a burst pipe. With water leaking everywhere, possibly flooding the house, you might find yourself scrambling to call up the plumber while thinking about what you can do before the expert arrives. Fortunately for you, there are some steps you can do while the plumber works on stopping the water from carrying out more damage to your home.
In this article, we will share five steps you should take when experiencing burst pipes at home:
1. Switch off your main water supply
The first step you should always do when tackling a broken pipe is to switch off your home’s main water supply. That way, the water can stop flowing and stop from causing any further damage. Also, if you want to be extra safe, switch off the electricity as well to ensure that even if the water reaches electrical wiring or a socket, no electricity will harm you.
2. Drain the taps
One the water supply and the power is switched off, start draining the taps. Know that you should always begin with the cold taps, as this will not only reduce the pressure in the water pipe system but also reduce the chances of water freezing up in another pipe, causing it to burst. You will need to drain your toilets as well, so flush it down multiple times to get rid of any excess water. Once that is all done, follow it up by draining the hot taps.
3. Allow the pipe to thaw
Once the pipes are free of water, open all your cabinets where your pipes are located. That way, warm air can reach the pipes, addressing any frozen pipes if the burst was caused by it. If you do find frozen pipes, you can also speed up the process by grabbing a hairdryer and blowing air into it.
4. Mop up the excess water
The burst pipe has likely caused plenty of mess in your home. Whatever you do, do not leave everything as it is. Mop up the water as soon as you can once the pipe has stopped leaking. This is important to prevent any further damage where water might seep into different places, causing mold to grow.
5. Collect data for insurance purposes
After everything is cleaned up and the pipes have been fixed by the plumber, take the time to take photos of everything in the scene, from the broken pipes to the little bits on the ground. Also, take photos of the damages that the broken pipe has caused in your home.
All these pictures will serve as evidence to help you file for a claim from your insurance company, allowing you to be compensated with enough money to cover the damages.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know that you don’t have to sit back and watch as your broken pipes cause havoc in your home while waiting for your plumber. With the tips given above, you now have a better idea of what you can do to limit the damage on your property and also getting compensated for the loss more fairly with your insurance provider.
Handling burst pipes at home can be a frustrating experience, which is why you should rely on the experts to handle it for you instead. If you are looking for a professional plumbing company in San Diego, we have got you covered. Get in touch with us today to see how we can solve your plumbing problems!
