What to do when a pipe burst in your Meeker house?

10/22/2021 (Permalink)

Burst pipe

Homeowners have more control over pipe bursts than they think. While actual repairs must be left for professionals, there are some things you can do to minimize the water damage. These require little plumbing knowledge and are quick ways to keep water from essential items in your home. Here are some things you must know

• Shut off your water and, if necessary, electricity. Before anything else, Go to the home’s main water valve and shut it off immediately. Electricity should also be cut off to the section of the house where the water damage has occurred. Wait to turn the water back on until the plumber says you are able.
• Locate the Burst Pipe. Find out where the pipe burst is. If it appears to have been leaking for a while, be careful entering rooms and look for bulging ceilings and other warning signs that water damage has already occurred. If you catch the leak early enough, place a bucket underneath to see dripping water.
• Call a plumber. Do this as soon as you can. Keep the damage as minimal as possible. The plumber diagnoses the cause, talks solutions, and fixes the problem.
• Start removing water. Clear away any water quickly to avoid excess water damage. Some water damage is inevitable when a pipe burst, but the sooner you clean the water, the less likely you experience irreparable damage to your possessions. Fast cleanup also ensures mold and mildew don’t grow.
• Drain faucets. Drain your faucets and flush toilets multiple times too to remove the water left in the system. Water removal takes some pressure off the pipes and ensures they’re dry, so no more water leaks through. 
• Let in warm air. Frozen pipes must warm slowly to prevent further damage. Turn up the heat in your home, use a hairdryer to warm the lines; this heats the pipes slow enough to prevent any more breaks. Drastic temperature changes cause the pipe to burst.  
• Keep doors open. Rooms with exposed pipes need more air circulation to dry the lines and the surrounding area. You want the pipes to dry as quickly as possible, so make sure air flows consistently.
• If There’s Damage, Document It. If the damage from your burst pipe seems extensive, you should begin taking photos of affected areas immediately; once water damage occurs, you typically have a three-day window until microbes spread and mold begins to grow, so it’s essential to file a claim as soon as you notice the leak.

If you have any water damage that you need to be cleaned, call SERVPRO of Grand Routt & Rio Blanco counties for Water Damage Restoration and Repairs, we can help. Call us today at 970-949-3235. We are a 24/7 emergency response.