What To Do if Your Pipe Bursts When Waiting for Plumbers To Arrive
A burst pipe can be a stressful situation, especially if water gushes out of your walls or ceiling. Burst and leaking pipes left to spout out water can cause mold growth and extensive water damage in your home, leaving you with significant bills to pay. Even during winter, it can catch you by surprise, leaving many wondering what to do if a pipe bursts in their home. One of the first things you should do if you experience a burst pipe is to contact a local plumbing professional. They will arrive as soon as possible to fix your broken pipes and help prevent mold and water damage. In the meantime, let’s review ten things you should do about a burst pipe in your home.
What To Do if a Pipe Bursts in Your Home
1. Collect the Leaking Water
Whether you have a surge of water flowing into your home or a small trickle, you want to act fast and collect the leaking water in a bucket or other large container. You should also move any valuables or furniture out of the immediate area. This will prevent further water damage or mold growth and buy you time for the following steps. If you cannot find a fitting container for the leak, move any furniture or valuables away from the water and immediately move on to the next step.
2. Turn Off the Main Water Shut-Off Valve
Completely switch off the main water supply until a qualified plumber gives you the go-ahead to switch it back on. Consider this perhaps the most important step to prevent extensive damage from a burst pipe. To do this, locate and turn off the main water shut-off valve, usually found in a home’s basement or crawl space or outside near the street underneath a metal lid. This will prevent new water from flowing into your home and prevent further damage.
3. Switch Off the Electricity
When gushing water reaches any electrical outlets, appliances, or fuse box, not only can it cause further damage to your home, but it is hazardous and potentially lethal as well. If your pipes leak water near any electrical appliances, fuse boxes, or wiring, turn off the electricity to your house until the area dries.
4. Drain the Faucets and Flush the Toilets
Once you turn off the water and electricity, you will want to drain the remaining water from the system to reduce water pressure and decrease the risk of water refreezing inside the pipes. Turn your faucets on to the cold setting first, and then flush the toilets multiple times.
5. Shut Off the Boiler and Continue To Drain
After allowing the cold water to drain for a little while, you will need to turn off the water heating system in your home. Then, switch your faucets to hot water and continue draining the remaining water. If your toilets still have water, continue to flush those as well.
6. Turn Up the Heat
Frozen pipes represent one of the most common culprits of bursts and leaks as the rapid temperature change and intense pressure weakens them. Turn the heat up in your house and consider using a hairdryer to thaw the pipes gradually. Keep your interior doors and cabinets open to allow the warm air to circulate closer to the water pipes in the walls.
7. Clean Up the Water
Now that you have stalled the leak and thawed the freeze, clear away any spilled water to prevent excess water damage and mold. The longer you allow water to sit, the more likely mold and mildew will grow, so you must dry the area quickly and thoroughly. Soak up any excess water with towels and turn a fan on to evaporate what moisture remains.
8. Document the Damage
Before you clean everything and return it to its earlier state, you may want to take photos and videos of the affected areas for your insurance company. This includes a record of water damage to your home and possessions. You should also hold onto the damaged items as evidence for your insurance case.
9. Fix Your Leak
You should call a qualified plumber to assess the situation and follow through with a long-lasting solution at the first sign of a burst or leaking pipe. However, you can use duct tape or clamps to seal small leaks until a professional arrives. Remember that these temporary fixes only address the symptoms and not the actual leak.
10. Additional Preventative Steps
To prevent your pipes from bursting, you can winterize your home with added insulation, pipe sleeves, or heat tape. If especially frigid out, a slow drip will keep water flowing in the pipes and prevent it from freezing. Also, remember to keep your interior doors and cabinets open to allow warm air near the pipes.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Lakeside, CA
Are you searching online for “what to do if a pipe bursts in my home?” Don’t wait until it’s too late! Prevent mold and water damage by calling our emergency plumbers in Lakeside, CA, at (858) 538-6025.Core Plumbing is a fully licensed, family-owned, and operated plumbing company providing 24-hour emergency plumbing services to Lakeside, CA, and the greater San Diego area. We work with residential and commercial property owners on all manner of plumbing services. Our expert team of plumbers has over 15 years of experience providing our customers with superior quality craftsmanship at competitive prices.We offer comprehensive plumbing services, including:
Are you wondering what to do if a pipe bursts in your walls or ceiling? The trustworthy professionals at Core Plumbing have expert plumbers in Lakeside, CA, and the greater San Diego region with 24/7 emergency service. Contact us on our website or by phone at (858) 538-6025.
